Bioban takes top prize at national circular economy hackathon in Yamoussoukro

Yamoussoukro — A groundbreaking initiative that turns agricultural waste into clean energy and organic fertilizers has claimed the top spot at Côte d’Ivoire’s premier circular economy hackathon. The event, held from June 17 to 19 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute (INP-HB), challenged ten teams of innovators to develop sustainable solutions for waste reduction and resource efficiency.

Innovation at the heart of waste reduction

The competition, themed “Technological innovation and circular economy: zero waste, maximum impact”, provided participants with intensive training, mentorship, and prototyping support over three days. Teams presented their solutions to a panel of experts, competing for recognition and incubation opportunities.

Organizers emphasized the urgency of embracing circular economy principles to address environmental challenges. They highlighted the role of technological innovation in driving sustainable transitions, particularly in waste management, biodegradable product design, and natural resource conservation.

Strong backing for green innovation

The initiative received support from the Promotion of Economic Reforms and Investments Project (ProREI), funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in partnership with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Craftsmanship. The goal is to foster green, social, and digital innovation while boosting the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The deputy director general of INP-HB, overseeing research, innovation, and the technopole, stressed that circular economy strategies are no longer optional but essential for long-term environmental and economic resilience. He noted that the competition showcased the high potential of Ivorian innovators in addressing critical sustainability challenges.

Six projects to receive incubation support

The head of INP-HB’s central incubator, Guy Corée, praised the caliber of submissions, calling the level of competition exceptionally strong. Six projects—including the top three winners—will now receive six months of technical and financial support within the incubator. The program will focus on legal structuring, industrial scaling, market access, and funding acquisition.

Bioban’s vision for sustainable agriculture

Bioban, the winning project, transforms agricultural residues into biogas for household cooking and organic fertilizers to restore soil fertility and boost crop yields. Its founder, Ndiessa Kwaku Boris—a renewable energy agronomist—celebrated the victory, calling it a milestone for sustainable agricultural practices in Côte d’Ivoire. The team will now work toward scaling up its solution to benefit more communities across the country.