Yamoussoukro hosts national circular economy hackathon, Bioban takes top prize

Yamoussoukro — The Bioban initiative, focused on upcycling agricultural waste into biogas and organic fertilizers, has clinched first place at the national hackathon on circular economy, held June 17–19, 2026, at the Institut national polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB). The competition was organized by the institution’s Central Incubator, with technical support from GIZ.

Turning waste into value: the hackathon’s mission

The event, themed “Technological innovation and circular economy: zero waste, maximum impact”, brought together ten teams of three members each. Over three intensive days, participants received hands-on training, mentoring, and prototyping support before pitching their solutions to a panel of industry experts.

Driving sustainable solutions across key sectors

The organizers set out to spur technological innovation in circular economy practices, with a strong emphasis on:

• Smart waste sorting systems
• Design of biodegradable products
• Resource management strategies
• Waste valorization techniques

The Deputy Director General for Research, Innovation, and Technopole at INP-HB, speaking on behalf of the Director General, emphasized that circular economy is no longer optional—it’s a must in today’s environmental landscape. He highlighted technology as a critical driver in achieving zero-waste goals and fostering sustainable development.

German cooperation strengthens green innovation in Côte d’Ivoire

A representative from GIZ underscored that this initiative aligns with the Promotion of Economic Reforms and Investments (ProREI) project, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in partnership with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Crafts. The project’s core objective is to boost green, social, and digital innovation while enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

High-caliber projects earn incubation boost

Guy Corée, Head of the INP-HB Central Incubator, praised the caliber of submissions, noting that the quality of proposals was exceptionally high. He announced that six projects—including the top three winners—will receive technical and financial support within the incubator’s six-month acceleration program. The program covers legal structuring, industrialization, market access, and funding mobilization.

The winning team behind Bioban was led by Ndiessa Kwaku Boris, an agronomic engineer specializing in renewable energy. He shared that Bioban converts agricultural residues into biogas for household cooking and organic fertilizers to restore soil fertility and boost crop yields. Receiving the award, Boris expressed pride in the recognition and commitment to scaling the solution across rural communities.