Three African startups—each at the forefront of green technology—are driving significant advancements in energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture across the continent. These ventures, based in Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, exemplify the power of localised, innovative solutions in addressing food security and energy transition challenges. With each company pursuing unique goals, they demonstrate how technology and ingenuity are transforming sustainability in Africa.
Meier Energy: Pioneering Energy Efficiency in Morocco
Founded in 2020 by Fouad El Kohen, Meier Energy has emerged as a Moroccan leader in energy efficiency technology. The startup specialises in manufacturing energy monitoring equipment, specifically designed for photovoltaic power stations and businesses aiming to reduce their energy footprint. Meier’s products, such as advanced sensors, enable customers to measure and manage their energy use, a critical component of their overall energy transition. Despite Morocco’s unstructured energy efficiency market, Meier Energy has quickly built a reputation for its solutions and has expanded its operations internationally, including establishing a European branch in Barcelona.
Meier Energy’s success has caught the attention of the Moroccan government, which selected the company for an SME incubation programme designed to support domestic businesses in accessing international markets. Currently, the company’s revenue is split between domestic sales (80%) and exports (20%), but El Kohen aims to reverse this ratio, expanding the company’s footprint in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. As a pioneer in Morocco’s green-tech sector, Meier Energy is positioning itself as a driver of sustainable industry and a model for emerging African green businesses.
BioAni: Côte d’Ivoire’s Organic Fertiliser Innovator
BioAni, an Ivorian startup founded by Arthur de Dinechin, is leading an agricultural revolution through its production of organic fertilisers made from black soldier fly larvae. Motivated by Côte d’Ivoire’s reliance on chemical fertilisers and the environmental toll they exact, de Dinechin launched BioAni to provide an affordable and sustainable alternative. The fertiliser, named Frass, is not only cost-effective—at about one-eighth the price of chemical fertilisers—but is also generated from locally-sourced organic waste, which the larvae transform into nutrient-rich fertiliser.
From modest beginnings in a garage in Abidjan, BioAni now processes two tonnes of organic waste daily and supplies cooperatives and large-scale farms in Côte d’Ivoire. Supported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and in partnership with the Circular Economy Institute in Abidjan, BioAni is committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers, initially hesitant to switch from traditional chemical fertilisers, are increasingly adopting Frass, drawn by its efficacy and affordability. With recent financing from European investors, BioAni plans to expand into West and Southern Africa, demonstrating the potential of insect-based fertilisers to address both economic and environmental challenges in African agriculture.
GreenBox: Cold Storage Solutions for the Democratic Republic of Congo
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, GreenBox is transforming the agriculture sector with its solar-powered cold storage solutions, offering smallholder farmers a much-needed service to preserve produce. Founded by Divin Kouebatouka, GreenBox installs solar-powered cold rooms in rural villages, where produce can be stored for up to three weeks—far surpassing the two-day shelf life typically possible in ambient conditions. Managed cooperatively, these storage facilities enable farmers to sell their goods at optimal times, capturing higher market prices and reducing waste.
GreenBox also provides farmers with digital tracking tools to monitor the freshness of stored produce, helping them optimise their earnings and reduce losses. This low-cost solution, offered at a daily rental rate of CFA200 (roughly $0.10) per locker, has proven especially beneficial for small-scale farmers who cannot afford personal cold storage facilities. GreenBox’s impact is attracting attention across Africa, and the company is now exploring expansion into additional regions. Having won the African App 2024 Challenge, GreenBox has gained financial support to extend its reach further within Congo and to additional African markets, offering a sustainable, scalable model for improving agricultural resilience.
Each of these startups embodies a distinct approach to Africa’s sustainable development goals, from energy efficiency and agricultural productivity to waste management and food preservation. Together, Meier Energy, BioAni, and GreenBox highlight the role of local entrepreneurs in developing practical, high-impact solutions to Africa’s environmental and economic challenges.
