The Côte d’Ivoire government inaugurated a groundbreaking biochar production facility in Attinguié, located in the PK 31 industrial zone on the outskirts of Abidjan. The project, spearheaded by Valency International, marks a significant shift in how cashew nut processing waste is perceived and utilized.
Rather than discarding cashew shells as mere byproducts, this industrial unit transforms them into high-value resources for energy and manufacturing sectors. The inauguration ceremony was led by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Crafts, Kalil Konaté, alongside key government officials and technical partners.
Designed as Africa’s first large-scale commercial biochar plant using cashew shells, the facility boasts an annual processing capacity of 20,000 tons of cashew residues. It is expected to yield 6,000 tons of biochar annually while also producing biofuel and clean energy through advanced agricultural byproduct valorization technology.
The initiative aligns with Côte d’Ivoire’s broader strategy to enhance local cashew processing and maximize economic benefits from this vital crop. By converting agricultural waste into industrial assets, the project supports circular economy principles and sustainable industrial growth.
“This marks the transformation of agricultural byproducts into strategic industrial resources,” stated Minister Kalil Konaté during the event. He emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering innovative industrial projects that drive job creation and economic development.
Following the inauguration, the minister toured the facility alongside Valency International and Revata Carbon representatives, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to supporting cutting-edge industrial ventures that promote local value addition and sustainability.
As the world’s leading producer of raw cashew nuts, Côte d’Ivoire continues to strengthen its position in the global market by investing in advanced processing technologies. This new biochar plant underscores the country’s ambition to build a robust, eco-friendly industrial sector centered on agricultural transformation.