Our story
This timeline provides an overview of Aera’s journey, highlighting key achievements, strategic milestones, and significant transactions and project signings.
The foundation (2015)
– Aera Group SAS was founded with a mission to accelerate climate action by converting emissions reductions into revenues, focusing on voluntary carbon credits in Africa.
– During the first 3 years of activities, the company built its first business case, success and structured the process to accelerate the growth.
More reach in Africa
(2018)
– Aera engaged in commercial contracts and supported over 50 carbon projects across Africa, generating for its clients’ substantial revenues and contributing significantly to carbon reduction efforts.
Energy transition as a key development pillar
(2019)
– Aera expanded its operations to grow its environmental attributes originated from renewable energy projects among which solar PV in Senegal, large hydro plant in Côte d’Ivoire, small hydro in DRC.
Beyond carbon credits, first diversification
(2020)
– Aera closed its 1st ever renewable energy certificate transaction (I-REC), a new product in its trading line. Aera team obtains a €86,7m loan & grant for Solar Rural Electrification Agency in Senegal, showing its technical capability.
A pivotal year
(2021)
– Aera signs its first ever sale in North America (Canada) for a €6m deal value and its first ever sale in Australia for a €10m deal value.
– Aera founders sells a 35% minority stake to Arise IS, based on a valuation of €28,5m, a significant and strategic move to further drive the company’s mission and growth.
– Aera reinforces its management team and appoints Nicolas Hyacinthe as Deputy CEO. Aera also appoints PwC France as statutory auditor.
– Aera announces record financial results for the year 2021. The turnover reached for the first time €15m.
The growth engine is on
(2022)
– Aera Group announced a carbon credits transaction with EDF Trading, marking a significant partnership and enhancing its market presence, with a transaction volume of 200,000 carbon credits.
– Aera signs its first ever safe drinking water project in Uganda, saving CO2 emissions, improving life and public health. One of the largest programs of its kind with 200,000 households covered.
– Aera Group extended its partnership with Ecosphere+ to supply carbon credits from Africa, reinforcing its leadership in the carbon credit market. Deal value estimated at €5m.
– Aera, myclimate, and Spiro signed the largest carbon credits transaction for electric mobility in Africa, expecting to reduce emissions by 1 million tons of CO2 over ten years.
– Aera releases prefunding reaching $2M for Man & Man, the largest producer and distributor of efficient cooking stoves in Ghana, to enhance factory, new factory, distribution retail network and carbon data monitoring digitalization.
– Aera announces significant reinforcement with the appointment of a new CFO and a new HR & Accounting Director.
Record sales
(2023)
– Aera passes the milestone of €25m revenues generated for environmental projects in Africa
– Aera Group, in collaboration with ClimatePartner, launched The Africa Energy Access Carbon Cooperation, aiming to enhance energy access across the continent.
– Aera sales order book reaches a record of €250m.
Strong execution and organic growth
(2024)
– Aera passed for first time the mark of 5 million carbon credits issued and delivered in a year.
– Aera announces record financial results for the year 2024. The turnover reached for the first time €33,7m, an increase of 36% compared to the financial year 2023.
Leader in environmental commodity trading
(2025)
– Aera launches for the first time a physical commodity trading business with recycled plastic products (rPET)
– Aera signs its first supply contract and subsequent sale agreement for an Article 6 compliance carbon credits deal valued $1,8m under CORSIA airlines scheme.