Yamoussoukro — A groundbreaking initiative in agricultural waste management has taken top honors at Côte d’Ivoire’s premier circular economy hackathon. The Bioban project, which converts farm residues into biogas and organic fertilizers, claimed the top prize during the three-day event held June 17–19, 2026, at the Institut national polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB) in Yamoussoukro.
The competition was organized by the INP-HB Central Incubator, with technical support from the German development agency GIZ, under the theme: “Technological innovation and circular economy: zero waste, maximum impact.”
Ten teams of three participants each underwent an intensive program of training, mentorship, and prototyping before pitching their solutions to a panel of industry experts. The challenge focused on driving sustainable innovation in key areas such as smart waste sorting, biodegradable product design, natural resource management, and waste valorization.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the Deputy Director General for Research, Innovation and Technopole at INP-HB highlighted the urgent need for circular economy solutions in the face of escalating environmental pressures. He emphasized that technology-driven innovation is pivotal to achieving the national goal of zero waste.
The GIZ representative underscored that this initiative aligns with the broader Promotion des réformes économiques et des investissements (ProREI) program, supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The initiative aims to boost green, social, and digital innovation while strengthening competitiveness for small and medium-sized enterprises across Côte d’Ivoire.
Guy Corée, Head of the INP-HB Incubator, praised the high caliber of submissions, noting that all projects demonstrated exceptional creativity and feasibility. He announced that six proposals—including the top three winners—will receive six months of incubation support, covering legal structuring, industrial scaling, market access, and funding mobilization.
Accepting the award, Ndiessa Kwaku Boris, an agricultural engineer specializing in renewable energy and founder of Bioban, expressed pride in the recognition. He shared that Bioban’s solution turns agricultural by-products into clean cooking fuel and nutrient-rich organic fertilizers, helping restore soil health and boost crop yields in farming communities.
