Co-designing sustainable biochar business models with sub-Saharan African communities for inclusive socio-economic transformation

Abstract

Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) encounter multiple livelihood challenges. Embracing circular bioeconomy principles, particularly considering agricultural and food processing residues, could enable inclusive, locally led, sustainable development pathways within rural communities. Biochar products are one such example of a bio-based material that can be generated using circular principles and deployed for sustainable community development, including among smallholder farmers. This research leverages empirical evidence from four SSA regions to explore the potential of inclusive and sustainable biochar business models, namely: (i) Northern Region, Ghana, (ii) Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, (iii) Casamance, Senegal, and (iv) Western Region, Uganda. Co-creation workshops using the Triple-Layered Business Model Canvas framework were carried out in each region with local stakeholders to evaluate the social, ecological, and economic implications of four locally relevant biochar applications: water filtration, biogas purification, soil amendment, and cooking fuel briquettes. Data was analysed at an aggregate level for all regions and applications. The study describes this consolidated biochar business model and examines the implications for SSA communities. The resulting sustainable bio-based business model can guide value chain actors and policymakers in SSA communities towards rural sustainable development with a better understanding of the needs, opportunities, challenges, and impacts of biochar-based value chain development.