Yamoussoukro — In a landmark event for Côte d’Ivoire’s green innovation, the Bioban initiative claimed top honors at the national hackathon dedicated to circular economy solutions, held from June 17 to 19, 2026, at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute (INP-HB). The competition was organized by the institution’s central incubator in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Circular economy meets cutting-edge technology
The hackathon, themed “Technological innovation and circular economy: zero waste, maximum impact”, brought together 10 teams of three participants each. Over three days, these innovators underwent intensive training, mentorship, and hands-on prototyping sessions before pitching their solutions to a panel of experts. The goal? To spark sustainable solutions across waste sorting, biodegradable product design, natural resource management, and waste valorization.
Why circular economy innovation matters
The Deputy Director General in charge of research, innovation, and the technopole at INP-HB emphasized the urgency of circular economy principles in addressing today’s environmental challenges. He highlighted technological innovation as a critical driver for achieving zero-waste goals and transitioning toward more sustainable practices.
The GIZ representative underscored the broader mission behind the event: advancing green, social, and digital innovation while boosting the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This initiative aligns with the Promotion of Economic Reforms and Investments (ProREI) project, a collaboration between Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Crafts.
A showcase of high-caliber talent
Guy Corée, head of INP-HB’s central incubator, praised the exceptional caliber of submissions, noting that the competing projects demonstrated outstanding creativity and technical rigor. Six initiatives, including the top three winners, will now receive technical and financial support to refine their models within the incubator’s six-month program. This structured pathway focuses on legal structuring, industrial scaling, market access, and fundraising strategies.
Bioban’s breakthrough in agricultural waste recycling
Bioban’s victory was celebrated by its founder, Ndiessa Kwaku Boris, an agronomist and renewable energy specialist. His project converts agricultural waste into biogas for household cooking and organic fertilizers to restore soil fertility and boost crop yields. “This recognition validates our vision of turning waste into resources,” he stated, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to scale up his impactful solution.
