Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is set to host the next African Startup Awards from October 25 to 27, a prestigious ceremony that recognizes the best start-ups in Africa. Among the two start-ups selected to represent the host country, Husk Energy and Technology and Coffee Resurrect stood out with their innovative solutions to reuse waste from coffee cultivation and consumption.
Ethiopia represents the fifth largest coffee producer in the world, with an annual production of 450,000 tonnes, half of which is consumed locally. However, this coffee industry also causes significant pollution. This is why these start-ups have chosen to take up the challenge of reducing the environmental impact of this industry by finding innovative ways to recycle coffee waste.
Husk Energy and Technology, founded by Holeyat Berhanu and Yohannes Wasihun, has developed a revolutionary machine that recycles coffee bean shells into fuel pellets. This innovation reduces the amount of waste and diverts coffee husks from their usual destination, where they ferment and emit bad odors that are harmful to local residents. The fuel pellets produced can be used as an alternative energy source, thereby limiting carbon emissions.
For its part, Coffee Resurrect, founded by Almaw Molla, focuses on recycling coffee grounds to make cosmetic oil and nutritious flours. By involving NGOs, the company seeks to promote this culture in a different way and create added value from coffee waste. The project is still in the research and development stage, but once launched it could have a significant impact on reducing coffee waste.
These young Ethiopian entrepreneurs demonstrate solidarity and mutual aid within the start-up community. They exchange ideas, share their problems and look for solutions together to transform constraints into opportunities. They are also members of the Clean Cooking association, which brings together other companies in the sector and promotes collaborations to address common challenges.
Participation in the African Startup Awards event provides these Ethiopian start-ups with international visibility and the opportunity to attract investors. It is recognition of the work accomplished and an opportunity to make their innovations known to a wider audience.
In conclusion, these Ethiopian start-ups are at the forefront of innovation in finding sustainable solutions to reduce coffee waste and minimize the environmental impact of this industry. Their commitment to the environment and the community is to be commended, and Ethiopia can be proud of these young entrepreneurs who are contributing to building a more sustainable future.