In brief
In Cotonou, Benin, AMAVI has been collecting and recycling more than 150,000 litres of used cooking oil since 2023, converting it into soap and biofuel. The company partners with Henan Hengyong of China for equipment and training, and plans to industrialise biodiesel production by 2030. The initiative reduces pollution and supports renewable energy efforts in the country.
The city of Cotonou, Benin, is witnessing a new circular‑economy trend as AMAVI, a local company, turns discarded cooking oil from hotels and restaurants into soap and biodiesel. According to Xinhua, the firm began operations in 2023 and has processed more than 150,000 litres of used oil, working with over 100 restaurant operators in the region.
Founder Carmel Djiha told Xinhua that improper disposal of used cooking oil can harm human health and contaminate soil and water. The oil is first filtered and settled to remove water and solids, then split into soap or fuel for generators and agricultural machinery.
Djiha noted that Benin’s legislation, dating back to 2003, prohibits dumping or burning used oil in ways that pollute the environment. By redirecting waste oil into useful products, AMAVI helps keep the country’s waterways and soils clean.
In a partnership announced by Xinhua, AMAVI signed a cooperation deal with Henan Hengyong, a Chinese company that supplies processing equipment and provides technical training for AMAVI staff.
The firm aims to scale up biodiesel output by 2030, targeting daily production of more than three tonnes. Djiha said the expansion would enhance environmental protection, reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions, and broaden the company’s contribution to public health.
