ECOBRIK is a bioenergy initiative in Benin that converts agricultural waste, organic waste, agro-industrial residues and invasive aquatic plants into green charcoal, providing a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional wood charcoal. The project addresses two major challenges: poor waste management, which leaves millions of tonnes of biomass unused each year, and the heavy reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking, which contributes to deforestation and environmental degradation. Around 80% of households in Benin still depend on these traditional fuels.
The project collects locally available biomass and transforms it into smokeless, odourless green charcoal that is more affordable and has a long burning time. By turning waste into a sustainable energy product, they promote circular economy while improving access to cleaner cooking fuels.

The initiative is led by a team of 6-10 young engineers and technicians and also trains women and young people in waste valorisation, green charcoal production and environmental stewardship, this way creating opportunities for skills development and employment. The project has been operating for 1-3 years and so far major costs include production equipment, biomass collection and transport, research and development, community training, and awareness and marketing activities. The project is currently financed through personal contributions, support from academia and small local initiatives, but plans to secure grants, climate innovation funding and revenue from charcoal sales to support future expansion. Prominent challenges include limited access to finance, logistics for sourcing biomass in rural areas, and encouraging households to switch from traditional charcoal. The long-term goal is to scale production across Benin, expand distribution to rural and urban markets, strengthen partnerships and establish a replicable circular bioenergy model.