Tagaddod, led by Egyptian entrepreneur Nour El-Assal, raises $26 million for regional expansion

Tagaddod, a renewable energy and waste management startup led by Egyptian entrepreneur Nour El-Assal, has raised $26.3 million in Series A funding to speed up its regional growth and strengthen its technology platform.

New capital fuels bioenergy growth plans

The round was led by the Arab Energy Fund (TAEF) with participation from FMO, VKAV, A15, and other existing backers. The company said the new capital will support its logistics and traceability systems while expanding capacity for renewable feedstocks—materials used in the production of biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel.

“This is more than just funding; it’s a partnership that gives us room to build,” El-Assal said. “With TAEF’s reach across the region and a shared commitment to sustainability, we can move faster to create the infrastructure needed for a cleaner future.”

Maheur Mouradi, chief investment officer at TAEF, said the fund’s focus is on sustainable growth, not quick returns. “This capital is not here to burn; it’s here to scale,” Mouradi said. “We’re focused on profitability, execution, and long-term value creation.”

From Cairo startup to global biofuel player

Founded in 2013, Tagaddod began as a small venture before expanding into a regional operator with a growing international presence. The company now operates in Egypt, Jordan, and the Netherlands, with market access across Europe and Asia. It collects and processes used cooking oil, waste oils, and fats, converting them into renewable feedstocks for the biofuels industry.

Tagaddod is part of a Dutch-based group supported by investors from the United States, the Gulf, Africa, and the European Union. Its next stage of growth includes entry into Saudi Arabia, one of the Middle East’s key renewable energy markets.

El-Assal leads Tagaddod toward growth

El-Assal, who has served as CEO since 2014, brings a mix of engineering and entrepreneurial experience. Before co-founding Tagaddod, he worked at Halliburton, Arabian Cement Company, and FRANK AG in Germany, and also co-founded Cloud, a technology venture.

Over the past decade, El-Assal has guided Tagaddod from a small startup to a company helping connect waste collection to global energy supply chains. His focus remains on building a business that proves sustainability and profitability can work together.