In the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, the next African Startup Awards are preparing to welcome the continent’s best start-ups from October 25 to 27. Among them, two local start-ups have found an ingenious solution to reuse waste from coffee cultivation and consumption with the aim of reducing the pollution caused by this thriving industry.
One such startup, Husk Energy and Technology, has developed a machine that can turn coffee bean hulls into fuel pellets. Holeyat Berhanu, co-founder of the company, explains the process: “The machine exerts pressure and friction on the coffee husks or sawdust, which generates heat and pressure. In the end, granules high quality and very dense are obtained.” This solution was found following local farmers’ observation that accumulated coffee husks could ferment and produce foul odors when exposed to rain. Burning this waste would also have created carbon emissions.
Another promising startup, Coffe Resurrect, focuses on recycling coffee grounds to produce cosmetic oil and nutritious flours. Its founder, Almaw Molla, wants to promote this culture by involving NGOs and creating coffee-based flours. This approach would give coffee waste a new life and turn it into a valuable resource.
These young entrepreneurs had to overcome many obstacles to realize their projects, but they were able to benefit from the support and mutual assistance present within the start-up community. They also participate in associations and programs such as Clean Cooking, which brings together companies in the sector to share their problems and find solutions together.
The African Startup Awards competition represents a unique opportunity for these Ethiopian start-ups to make themselves known and attract investors. Indeed, the coffee sector in Ethiopia is a major issue, given that the country is the 5th largest producer in the world. A reduction in the pollution generated by this industry would therefore be beneficial not only for the environment, but also for the health of residents.
In conclusion, Ethiopian start-up initiatives to recycle coffee waste demonstrate the creativity and ingenuity of African entrepreneurs. By transforming coffee husks into fuel pellets and creating products based on coffee grounds, these start-ups are helping to reduce pollution and promote this iconic Ethiopian culture. Hopefully, their participation in the African Startup Awards will allow them to find the necessary support to scale up their projects and inspire other entrepreneurs to adopt similar approaches in other sectors of the African economy.