Innovative agricultural waste solution takes top prize in Côte d’Ivoire’s circular economy challenge
Yamoussoukro — A groundbreaking project transforming agricultural waste into clean energy and organic fertilizer has claimed first place at Côte d’Ivoire’s national circular economy hackathon, held at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute (INP-HB) from June 17 to 19, 2026.
The competition, themed “Technological innovation and circular economy: zero waste, maximum impact”, brought together ten teams of three participants each. Over three days, they underwent intensive training, mentorship, and prototyping sessions before pitching their solutions to a panel of experts.
Organizers emphasized the event’s dual purpose: driving technological innovation in circular economy practices while fostering sustainable solutions across key sectors. Focus areas included smart waste sorting, biodegradable product design, natural resource management, and waste valorization.
Speaking on behalf of the INP-HB leadership, the Deputy Director General for Research, Innovation, and Technopole stressed the urgent need for circular economy models in response to pressing environmental challenges. He highlighted technology as a critical enabler in achieving zero-waste goals and transitioning toward more sustainable practices.
Representatives from the German development agency GIZ outlined how the hackathon aligns with the broader ProREI initiative—a project co-funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Crafts. The initiative aims to bolster green, social, and digital innovation while strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The head of INP-HB’s central incubator, Guy Corée, praised the exceptional caliber of submissions, noting the high technical and creative standards demonstrated by participants. He announced that six projects—including the top three winners—will receive technical and financial support through the incubator program.
Winning teams will embark on a six-month incubation journey, focusing on legal structuring, solution scaling, market access strategies, and fundraising. The top prize-winning team behind Bioban will receive tailored guidance to refine their waste-to-energy model, which converts agricultural residues into biogas for household cooking and organic fertilizers to revitalize depleted farmlands.
Bioban’s founder, Ndiessa Kwaku Boris, an agronomist specializing in renewable energy, expressed enthusiasm about the recognition. “This award validates our mission to turn agricultural waste into valuable resources, supporting both energy needs and soil health,” he stated. “We’re committed to scaling this solution to empower rural communities and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”