Abidjan unveils africa’s pioneering cashew shell biochar facility

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, Ivorian authorities officially inaugurated a groundbreaking biochar production facility in Attinguié, situated within the PK 31 industrial zone on the outskirts of Abidjan.

This innovative industrial venture, spearheaded by the Valency International group, aims to convert cashew shells – traditionally viewed as mere processing waste – into high-value resources vital for the energy and industrial sectors.

The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of numerous administrative officials, institutional representatives, and technical partners, with Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Crafts, Kalil Konaté, presiding over the event.

Hailed as Africa’s inaugural large-capacity commercial unit dedicated to producing biochar from cashew shells, the plant is engineered to process approximately 20,000 tons of residues annually from cashew nut transformation. This process is projected to yield around 6,000 tons of biochar, while simultaneously generating biofuel and energy through advanced agricultural by-product valorization technology.

According to the project developers, this cutting-edge innovation is set to significantly reduce waste originating from the cashew industry, concurrently fostering new economic opportunities within this crucial agricultural sector.

Minister Kalil Konaté underscored the significance of the investment, stating, « We are witnessing the transformation of agricultural by-products into strategic industrial resources. » He commended its contribution to local value creation and the advancement of a more sustainable industrial landscape.

Following the ceremony, Minister Konaté toured the state-of-the-art installations alongside executives from Valency International and Revata Carbon. He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting innovative industrial projects that stimulate job creation and economic growth.

As the world’s leading producer of raw cashew nuts, Côte d’Ivoire continues to advance its strategic objective of increasing local cashew processing to maximize the economic benefits derived from this crop. With the establishment of this new biochar unit, the nation strengthens its ambition to cultivate a high-performing processing industry, all while valorizing agricultural by-products within a circular economy framework.

This pivotal infrastructure thus unlocks fresh prospects for the cashew sector and reaffirms the Ivorian authorities’ determination to position industrial transformation as a key driver for sustainable economic development.