FasterCapital backs Work for the Forest to convert organic waste into eco-friendly charcoal
Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Dubai, UAE - Oct 06, 2025
Work For The Forest (WF) and FasterCapital today announced a strategic partnership through the EquityPilot program to commercialize improved cookstoves and organic-waste-derived eco-charcoal in Fizi territory, South Kivu, DRC. The alliance combines WF’s field-proven clean-cooking model and FasterCapital’s global acceleration resources to reduce deforestation, cut carbon emissions and improve household health beginning immediately.
Market opportunity & problem statement
More than half of wood harvested in Fizi is used for cooking and charcoal, with unsustainable harvesting fueling deforestation, health risks and lost economic opportunity. The clean-cooking and biochar market in sub-Saharan Africa is expanding as donors and consumers prioritize low-emission fuels, yet supply remains fragmented and inefficient. Work for the Forest targets this white space by delivering locally manufactured improved stoves and sustainable eco-charcoal made from organic waste, addressing both supply-side waste conversion and demand-side fuel efficiency.
Startup solution & differentiation
Work for the Forest manufactures low-cost, high-efficiency cookstoves and operates a community-centered processing center that converts agricultural and organic waste into eco-friendly charcoal. The solution reduces firewood consumption per household, lowers indoor air pollution, and creates local green jobs. Pilot activities delivered last year demonstrated measurable fuel savings and strong household adoption; distribution leverages an established network of local retailers and women-led sales agents. The approach is defensible through local sourcing of feedstock, proprietary kiln/process adaptations tuned for regional waste streams, and community-driven distribution that accelerates adoption.
FasterCapital partnership value
Under FasterCapital’s EquityPilot program, WF will receive tailored mentorship, product refinement support, go-to-market strategy, and capital-raising guidance from a selective global accelerator. FasterCapital’s track record and selective criteria validate WF’s market fit and growth potential; the partnership will support a 12-month scale-up starting January 2026, with targets for production capacity, retail roll-out and impact measurement. FasterCapital’s ecosystem will also enable introductions to carbon buyers, impact investors and technical partners.
Executive quotes
“Hesham Zreik: “Work for the Forest exemplifies the kind of mission-driven, market-ready venture our EquityPilot program is built to accelerate. Their integrated model—turning organic waste into a scalable, low-carbon cooking fuel while improving household health—aligns with global climate and development priorities and offers clear pathways to impact and revenue,” said Hesham Zreik, investment advisor and EquityPilot partner.
Dunia Lulenda, Managing Director of Work for the Forest, said: “This partnership with FasterCapital will let us scale production, formalize our eco-charcoal value chain, and expand access to clean cooking across Fizi. FasterCapital’s mentorship and funding access are catalysts that will turn pilot success into lasting social, economic and environmental benefits for our communities.”
Growth trajectory & future plans
Over the next 12 months WF aims to: ramp production to serve thousands of households, formalize retail and carbon measurement systems, and secure follow-on funding for regional expansion. Short-term KPIs include stove units produced, tons of organic waste processed, households reached, and CO2-equivalent emissions avoided. Longer-term ambitions include national replication across Congo and regional partnerships to integrate waste-to-fuel into broader circular-economy initiatives.
About Work for the Forest
Work for the Forest (WF) is an NGO based in Bukavu, DRC, focused on reducing deforestation and improving livelihoods through sustainable energy and forest programs. WF designs and implements clean-cooking projects, community awareness and local green enterprises.
About FasterCapital
FasterCapital is a global startup accelerator and seed investor that runs the EquityPilot program to scale early-stage ventures through mentorship, product and market support, and fundraising. FasterCapital partners with founders worldwide to accelerate growth and connect startups to investors and corporate partners.