BioDAF – Circular bioeconomy in Abidjan: From food waste to fork

Abidjan, home to 6 million people, is experiencing rapid growth at a rate of +187,000 inhabitants annually, generating 4,000 tons of food waste daily. This expansion places immense pressure on natural resources, agrifood systems and urban infrastructure, challenging the city's ability to meet its population's need sustainably. This surge not only demands additional resources, but also results in methane emissions from food waste decomposition, exacerbating environmental concerns. The city additionally heavily relies on agricultural imports, posing a threat to food security during times of crisis and supply chain disruptions. 

In this context, there is an urgent need for a scalable easy-to-implement approach that can:

• Reduce food waste and the associated  greenhouse gas emissions through food surplus recovery and valorization;
• Support local agricultural production by reducing dependency on imported inputs;
• Create jobs and improve livelihoods, particularly for women and youth.

This innovative project leverages Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming, transforming food waste into high-quality agricultural inputs. This natural, sustainable solution reduces environmental impact, supports the agrifood system, and fosters a circular economy.

The initiative benefits Abidjan's municipalities and residents, waste pre-collectors, women’s associations, unemployed individuals, and youth. Poultry, horticulture, and fish farmers also benefit from the cost-effective, high-quality agricultural inputs, contributing to the economic empowerment of diverse communities in the region.

Four main areas of actions were carried out: 

• Bio-waste collection from food markets: Studies were conducted to analyze the quantity, quality, and distribution of organic waste in Abidjan, to structure an optimized collection system for waste valorization.
• Construction of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farm and farm field school: A 1,000 m² BSF farm was established at the public nursery in Abobo. Organic waste from local markets feeds BSF larvae, which are reared on-site. The farm employs over 10 people, nearly half of whom are women, and provides specialized BSF rearing training.
• Valorization of the outputs:  The farm produces dried BSF larvae and larvae flour, sold as premium animal feed. The process also generates larvae frass, a by-product marketed as organic fertilizer for urban and peri-urban farmers.

The Abobo  public nursery successfully established under the project, processes 1,000 kg of organic waste daily, producing 120 kg of dried larvae for animal feed and 200 kg of organic fertilizer. The project currently employs 10 people, predominantly young people and women, with 10 more undergoing training. A comprehensive study has been undertaken which showcases the project's environmental, social, and economic impact. Field tests with farmers and laboratory experiments are also underway to ensure the safety and effectiveness of agricultural inputs.

The project has garnered significant interest locally and internationally. This has prompted discussions on scaling through cooperative models across Abidjan by creating additional conversion units to form a comprehensive waste management system, amplifying environmental benefits and creating more jobs, with a knock-on positive social impact.

Expanding the model to other cities in Côte d’Ivoire is under consideration, with the potential integration  of the fish value chain. BSF flour is an excellent, cost-effective feed for various fish species, addressing high costs and dependence on imports and supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s growing demand for sustainable aquaculture solutions.

   Circular bioeconomy in Abidjan: from food waste to the fork – BioDAF Project