ARISE Industrial Services (ARISE IS), a pan-African infrastructure developer and operator, has acquired 35% stake in Aera Group, a trader of environmental certificates in Africa, based on a valuation of €28.5m. 

Aera is the largest independent trading company dedicated to environmental certificates in Africa.

Aera was founded in 2015 as a pure originator and trader of CO2 emissions reduction certificates (also known as carbon credits).

To date, the company owns Africa’s first portfolio of CO2 emissions reduction certificates spanning all class of products (VCU, GS-VER, CER) and technologies (renewables, energy efficiency or waste treatment…) across the continent. 

Aera Group targets the acquisition of 50 MT of CO2 emissions reduction equivalent in 2021 to consolidate its portfolio, the largest for environmental certificates in Africa to date (39 projects contracted in 16 countries).

The company has also announced an extension of its trading lines to cover renewable energy production, biodiversity protection and water benefits related products.

This investment is a significant milestone in ARISE IS’s journey towards neutralising carbons emissions and creating a positive environmental legacy.

As the company accelerates its efforts for a sustainable industrialisation of Africa, this new partnership will help ensure that all its activities, including industrial zones in Gabon, Togo and Benin, are carbon neutral and climate positive.

Gagan Gupta, Co-founder of ARISE IS, said: “ARISE IS has become a trusted partner for sustainable growth by enabling solutions that address the challenges faced by governments, whilst creating shared opportunities in all our markets. This transaction takes us a step further and is reflective of the values we stand by.”

“We are deeply committed to bring strong added value to all our African partners by certifying and monetising their environmental assets. In this journey, teaming up with Aera is an important step as their expertise and achievements match our investments, our strategy and our vision.”

Fabrice Le Saché, Chairman of Aera Group, added: “This deal is a recognition of Aera’s track record in environmental certificates origination and trading in Africa. In the last five years we’ve achieved a number of ground-breaking achievements – from the record number of climate projects registered under carbon certification to the record volume of CO2 emissions reduction certificates traded.”

“Together with ARISE IS, we share the same long-term vision of environmental markets. They can unlock massive funding to scale up climate action. Climate needs cash and that’s our focus at Aera.”