From waste to value: Transforming agricultural by-products into new business opportunities

Soap made from cocoa pods that would have been waste – now turned into a local, sustainable product by a cooperative in Togo

Agricultural by-products are increasingly becoming valuable resources for innovation, income generation and sustainable growth. Join us for our upcoming Expert Talk, "Turning Agricultural Waste into New Business Opportunities," to explore how agribusinesses are transforming cocoa pods and maize husks into profitable products and new market opportunities.

This interactive discussion will showcase innovative business models and circular economy approaches that are already creating value within cocoa and maize value chains across Africa. Participants will gain insights into practical strategies for converting agricultural waste into additional revenue streams while strengthening competitiveness and resilience.

The session will highlight real-world examples, lessons learned and scalable approaches that support stronger market linkages, improved climate resilience, and broader rural economic impact.

Featured Speakers
Minnie Bale, Organisational Development and Management Advice Specialist, Women Economic Empowerment through Cashew Processing (WEECAP) Programme, GIZ-Côte d’Ivoire. she is also an expert in entrepreneurship and the valorisation of agricultural by-products, with extensive experience supporting sustainable business development and women's economic empowerment.

Noël N’Guessan, Co-founder, LONO - Côte d’Ivoire. LONO is a sustainable enterprise dedicated to turning waste into value by providing innovative and affordable solutions that enable farmers, agro-industries, companies, and organizations to maximize the value of their agricultural and organic waste.

Who Should Attend?
This Expert Talk is designed for development partners, agribusinesses, investors, entrepreneurs and stakeholders interested in circular economy solutions, investment opportunities, and value addition in Africa’s maize and cocoa sectors.

Date and Time: 30 June 2026 | 12:30 – 14:00 GMT

Join the session here .

This Expert Talk is organised by the Agri-Business Facility for Africa ABF as part of the Joint Action "Business Support Facility for Resilient Agricultural Value Chains", co-financed by the European Union under the Samoa agreement with OACPS and by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.