The BIO4Africa business development programme has given Ethicajou a roadmap to a new venture with cashew shell biochar.

Cashew nuts are a source of income for thousands of families in the Casamance region of Senegal. For local cashew cooperative Ethicajou, the ambition is to generate even more jobs and revenue over the next few years.

Ethicajou has identified new opportunities for business diversification since joining the BIO4Africa business development programme.

Following training and mentoring, the cooperative now has a roadmap to its next venture. The goal is to establish a pyrolysis unit that can convert the plant’s biggest waste stream – cashew shells – into biochar for sale as a sustainable household fuel.

Fair trade for a better price
Founded as a social enterprise in 2020, Ethicajou has already created over 100 full-time jobs, primarily for local women. Shareholders in the cooperative include the more than 800 cashew growers who deliver their harvest to the plant. Many of the growers are women, too.

General director Jacques Birane Seck explains the business model.

“We pursue social development goals through fair trade and are certified to use the organic BIO label and the SPP symbol for small producers. This guarantees a better price for the producers and enables the cooperative to engage in social and community projects.”

Watch the video
Jacques Birane Seck tells how Ethicajou has benefitted from the BIO4Africa business development programme.

Benefits for women and business
BIO4Africa partner Barcelona Plataforma Empresarial (BPE) is leading the business development programme in Senegal in close collaboration with local partner Université Assane Seck De Ziguinchor (UASZ).

BPE director Belarmino Rodríguez is positive the pyrolysis unit will demonstrate how circular technology can benefit the business and provide women, in particular, with a more stable source of income.

“Traditionally, women have only worked during the cashew harvesting season. In the Ethicajou processing plant, they are able to work more months of the year. Sales of cashew shell biochar as household fuel will generate more year-round revenue.”

Ethicajou has one major hurdle to overcome before biochar production can begin. The cooperative currently lacks capital to invest in the pyrolysis line. BPE is supporting this search for finance.