Valorization of lignocellulosic residues for material, energy, and agro‑industrial applications: a strategic opportunity to strengthen climate and socio‑economic resilience

Agricultural residues represent a largely untapped resource for Africa’s circular economy. This presentation explores how underutilized biomass can be transformed into valuable products, local economic opportunities, and practical solutions to environmental challenges, with a particular focus on Cameroon.
Using banana residues as a central example, the presentation illustrates the pathway from agricultural waste to extracted fibers and their applications in biodegradable geotextiles, packaging, paper, technical textiles, bio-based composites, and emerging sustainable electronics. It also highlights additional valorization routes for agro-industrial by-products, including biochar, biofertilizers, biogas, hydrogels, and bio-based abrasives.
Beyond individual technologies, these examples demonstrate the broader potential of a circular bioeconomy based on locally available resources: reducing waste and imports, creating local jobs, strengthening rural value chains, and improving climate resilience. The presentation also addresses the conditions required to move from technical feasibility to industrial deployment, including investment, technology transfer, skills development, and appropriate local business models.
The overarching message is clear: agricultural residues should not be viewed simply as waste, but as renewable resources capable of generating environmental, social, and economic value when embedded in well-structured local value chains.