From water hyacinth to paving stones: AfDB backs nine African circular economy firms
Together the first AfriCircular cohort wants to raise $11.65 million, and each firm will be introduced to at least ten investors.
Abidjan — A Kenyan firm that turns invasive water hyacinth into a biodegradable plastic substitute and a Togolese recycler that makes paving stones are among nine businesses chosen for the African Development Bank's new AfriCircular Growth Programme.
The first cohort works across ten African countries and is seeking $11.65 million in total. Each company gets individual help with strategy and investment proposals, and introductions to at least ten investors.
Some of the nine
- Chemolex, Kenya: has harvested 45,000 tonnes of water hyacinth and employs more than 1,600 women and young people.
- ColdHubs, Nigeria: its solar-powered cold stores have preserved 13.8 million kg of food in a decade.
- GIP-Togo: plans to raise recycled pellet output from 300 to 500 tonnes a month, and also makes crutches at half the price of imports.
- Elementerre, Senegal: makes insulation from cattail and local soil.
- Bio-Innovations, Uganda: turns farm waste into briquettes that replace firewood.
Africa accounts for less than 2% of world manufacturing, the bank says. The programme aims to keep more of the value on the continent.
Source: African Development Bank via allAfrica, November 2026.
