Octavia Carbon secures $3.9M to scale Carbon Capture in Kenya

Octavia has recently secured $5 million in seed funding to scale its direct air capture (DAC) technology, with backing from Lateral Frontiers, E4E Africa, and advance carbon credit sales.

Founded in 2022 by Martin Freimüller and Duncan Kariuki, Octavia Carbon's innovative DAC machines extract CO2 directly from the air, liquefy it, and inject it deep into basalt formations in the East African Rift Valley. Over time, the CO2 mineralises into rock, providing a permanent storage solution. Partnering with Cella Mineral Storage, this process offers a sustainable way to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are thrilled to have secured this funding, which will allow us to accelerate our efforts in combating climate change," said Freimüller, co-founder and CEO. "Our goal is to reach a capture capacity of 1,500 tonnes of CO2 per year by 2025, and this investment brings us closer to that target."

Kenya’s abundant geothermal energy and vast basalt formations make it an ideal hub for Octavia’s DAC technology which it uses ton tap into waste heat from geothermal sources to power operations efficiently, reducing both environmental impact and operational costs.

"Kenya offers the perfect combination of geological conditions and renewable energy resources, making it an ideal location for DAC technology," Freimüller added. "We believe that Kenya can become a global hub for carbon removal." 

Additional support from Catalyst Fund, Launch Africa, Fondation Botnar, and Renew Capital will allow Octavia to expand its current fleet, which captures 50 tonnes of CO2 annually. With this momentum, the company is set to become the second in the world to complete the full DAC cycle—capturing and permanently storing CO2 underground.

Following the success of Climeworks, Octavia’s work stands out as one of the first large-scale efforts to convert atmospheric CO2 into rock. However, the long-term stability of storing CO2 in basalt formations remains under scientific review, emphasising the importance of ongoing research and monitoring.

Beyond its carbon removal goals, Octavia plans to become an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for DAC technology, supplying machines to developers worldwide. This vision positions the company as both a pioneer in sustainable innovation and a key player in the global pursuit of net-zero emissions.