A groundbreaking project from Côte d’Ivoire has taken top honors at the country’s first national hackathon dedicated to circular economy innovation. The Bioban initiative, which focuses on converting agricultural waste into biogas and organic fertilizers, secured the winning prize at an intensive three-day competition held at the Institut national polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB) in Yamoussoukro.
The event, held from Wednesday, June 17 to Friday, June 19, 2026, brought together ten teams, each composed of three members. Participants underwent a rigorous program of training, expert mentoring, and prototyping before pitching their solutions to a panel of judges. The theme, « Innovation technologique et économie circulaire : zéro gaspillage, impact maximum », reflected the growing urgency to address waste management and sustainability in Côte d’Ivoire.
The competition aimed to foster technological innovation that supports circular economy principles, with a focus on smart waste sorting, biodegradable product design, natural resource management, and waste valorization. Speaking on behalf of the INP-HB leadership, the Deputy General Director in charge of research, innovation, and the technopole emphasized that circular economy is no longer optional—it is a critical response to today’s environmental challenges. He highlighted how technological advancement serves as a key driver in achieving zero-waste goals.
A representative from the GIZ, the German development agency supporting the initiative, noted that the hackathon aligns with the ProREI project, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The program, implemented in partnership with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Crafts, seeks to boost green, social, and digital innovation while strengthening the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises across the country.
The Head of the INP-HB Central Incubator, Guy Corée, praised the high caliber of the submissions, noting that the level of innovation was exceptionally strong. Six projects—including the top three winners—will now receive six months of structured support, including technical assistance, financial backing, legal structuring, market access guidance, and funding mobilization.
Following the announcement, Ndiessa Kwaku Boris, Bioban’s founder and an agronomist specializing in renewable energy, expressed pride in the achievement. He explained how Bioban transforms agricultural residues into clean cooking biogas and nutrient-rich organic fertilizers, helping restore soil fertility and boost crop productivity in rural communities.
