In brief
Carmel Djiha’s AMAVI collects and processes discarded cooking oil from hotels and restaurants in Oudeau‑Kpossidja, turning waste into soap and biofuel. Since 2023 the firm has recycled over 150,000 litres and plans to produce more than three tonnes of biodiesel daily by 2030, backed by equipment and training from Henan Hengyong. The initiative aligns with Benin’s 2003 regulations and aims to curb pollution and public‑health risks.
In a quiet locality about 40 kilometres north of Cotonou, Benin’s AMAVI is turning discarded cooking oil into soap and biofuel, saying the practice could help reduce pollution and provide new sources of renewable energy.
Turning Waste into Wealth
AMAVI’s headquarters sit in Oudeau‑Kpossidja, where the company collects used cooking oil from more than one hundred hotels and restaurants, according to founder Carmel Djiha. The oil is first filtered and settled to remove water and solid residues before entering a two‑stage conversion process that yields either soap or biodiesel for use in generators and agricultural machinery.
"Consuming used cooking oil is harmful to human health and can cause cancer and respiratory problems in the long term," Djiha told Xinhua, warning that improper disposal can also contaminate soil and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
"Consuming used cooking oil is harmful to human health and can cause cancer and respiratory problems in the long term,"
More than 150,000 litres of oil have been processed since AMAVI launched its operations in 2023, Djiha said, noting that the facility now plays a vital role in controlling a once‑neglected environmental problem. The firm’s work aligns with the Beninese law of 2003, which prohibits the dumping or accidental discharge of used oil into environments where it could pollute soil, surface water, groundwater and sewage systems.
In light of the legislation, AMAVI has become a key partner in a national effort to avoid illegal burning of used oil, a practice forbidden by the same laws. The company’s operations provide a safe and profitable alternative for waste disposal, reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions while generating value for local businesses.
AMAVI’s growth has attracted international attention, resulting in a formal partnership with Chinese company Henan Hengyong. The Beijing‑based firm supplies oil‑processing equipment and offers technical training to AMAVI staff, helping to lift the company’s production capacity.
Looking ahead, Djiha said the company will industrialize its biodiesel production by 2030, targeting a daily output of more than three tonnes. Such a scale‑up could significantly strengthen Benin’s contribution to environmental protection and public health, while also reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
AMAVI’s venture, now pivotal in the country’s local food‑service chain, illustrates how waste‑to‑resource projects can combine environmental stewardship with economic resilience, a model that may be replicated elsewhere in West Africa.
