Bioban wins Côte d’Ivoire circular economy hackathon in Yamoussoukro

Yamoussoukro, June 2026 — The Bioban initiative, which specializes in transforming agricultural waste into biogas and organic fertilizers, took home the top prize at the national circular economy hackathon held from June 17 to 19, 2026. The event took place at the Institut national polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB) in Yamoussoukro, organized by the institution’s central incubator with technical support from GIZ.

Competing for sustainable innovation

The hackathon, themed “Technological innovation and circular economy: zero waste, maximum impact”, brought together 10 teams of three participants. Before pitching their solutions to a panel of experts, the teams underwent an intensive program featuring training, mentorship, and prototyping sessions.

Driving change through circular solutions

The competition aimed to spark breakthroughs in circular economy practices, with a focus on smart waste sorting, biodegradable product design, natural resource management, and waste valorization. Organizers emphasized the urgent need for technological innovation to tackle environmental challenges and steer the economy toward zero waste.

The deputy director general of INP-HB, overseeing research, innovation, and the technopole, highlighted the circular economy as a critical response to today’s environmental pressures. He stressed that technology-driven solutions are vital to achieving sustainable, waste-free systems.

GIZ’s representative outlined how the event aligns with the Promotion of Economic Reforms and Investments (ProREI) project, backed by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in partnership with Ivory Coast’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Craftsmanship. The initiative seeks to boost green, social, and digital innovation while strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.

A standout showcase of talent

Guy Corée, head of INP-HB’s central incubator, praised the high caliber of submissions, noting that the competition reflected a strong commitment to sustainable development. He announced that six projects, including the three winning teams, will receive tailored technical and financial support through the incubator’s acceleration program.

Path to market for winning solutions

The three awarded teams will embark on a six-month incubation journey, focusing on legal structuring, scaling up their innovations, market access strategies, and securing investment.

Ndiessa Kwaku Boris, Bioban’s founder and an agricultural engineer specializing in renewable energy, expressed pride in the achievement. He explained that Bioban converts agricultural residues into clean cooking biogas and organic fertilizers, revitalizing soil health and boosting crop productivity.