Côte d’Ivoire unveils pioneering cashew shell biochar unit in Abidjan

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, Ivorian officials inaugurated a groundbreaking biochar production facility in Attinguié, located within the PK 31 industrial zone on the outskirts of Abidjan.

This ambitious industrial endeavor, spearheaded by the Valency International group, aims to convert cashew shells – traditionally viewed as mere production waste – into valuable resources for the energy and industrial sectors.

The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of numerous administrative officials, institutional representatives, and technical partners, with Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Crafts, Kalil Konaté, presiding over the event.

Heralded as Africa’s inaugural large-scale commercial unit dedicated to producing biochar from cashew shells, this facility is engineered to process approximately 20,000 tons of cashew processing by-products annually. It is projected to yield around 6,000 tons of biochar, simultaneously generating biofuel and energy through advanced agricultural co-product valorization technology.

Proponents assert that this innovation will significantly cut down on waste from the cashew industry, concurrently fostering fresh economic opportunities within this vital sector.

« We are witnessing the transformation of agricultural by-products into strategic industrial resources », Minister Kalil Konaté stated, commending the investment for its role in generating local value and advancing a more sustainable industry.

Following the ceremony, the Minister toured the new facilities alongside executives from Valency International and Revata Carbon. He reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to backing innovative industrial projects that create jobs and stimulate economic growth, reflecting strong governance in Africa.

As the world’s leading producer of raw cashews, Côte d’Ivoire is actively pursuing its strategy to enhance local cashew processing, aiming to maximize the economic benefits derived from this crucial crop. This new biochar unit significantly strengthens the nation’s ambition to cultivate a high-performing processing industry, simultaneously valorizing agricultural by-products within a circular economy framework, a key aspect of society Africa’s sustainable development.

This cutting-edge infrastructure thus unlocks new horizons for the cashew sector and underscores the Ivorian authorities’ determination to position industrial transformation as a primary engine for sustainable economic development.