Ugandan startup transforms banana waste into valuable fibres, biodegradable products

In a groundbreaking initiative in the heart of Uganda, discarded banana stems are finding new life as a local startup, TEXFAD, turns them into biodegradable handicrafts and valuable fibres. With banana consumption at its peak in Uganda, this innovative approach not only reduces waste but also empowers farmers struggling with tons of discarded stems.

Uganda boasts the highest banana consumption rate globally and ranks as Africa’s leading banana producer. Bananas contribute significantly to daily calorie intake, particularly in rural areas, where it can account for up to 25 percent of daily food consumption. For many, a meal without a serving of matooke, a type of banana, is considered incomplete.

Traditionally, after harvesting the fruit, banana stems were often left to rot in open fields, presenting a challenge for farmers. TEXFAD, a local startup positioned as a waste management group, is now tapping into this resource by extracting banana fibre from these discarded stems. The extracted fibre is then transformed into various products, including hair extensions.

John Baptist Okello, the business manager at TEXFAD, emphasizes the significance of this endeavor in a country where farmers face substantial challenges. The company collaborates with seven different farmers’ groups in western Uganda, offering them $2.7 (USD) per kilogram of dried fibre for their discarded banana stems. Additionally, TEXFAD partners with Tupande Holdings Ltd., a third-party provider, to source banana stems from central Uganda farmers. Tupande’s workers meticulously sort through the stems to select the most suitable ones, which are then processed into fine threads by machines.

Aggrey Muganga, team leader at Tupande Holdings Ltd., highlights the holistic approach of this initiative, stating, “Our contribution in the value chain is that we put extra income in the hands of the farmer, we turn this waste into something valuable that we sell to our partners who also make things that they can sell.” The goal is to generate additional income, create employment opportunities, and contribute to Uganda’s industrialization and the well-being of its citizens.

While Tupande Holdings Ltd. works with over 60 farmers, this is just a fraction of the potential in a country with over a million hectares of banana plantations. Banana production has been steadily increasing, rising from 6.5 metric tonnes in 2018 to 8.3 metric tonnes in 2019, according to data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

TEXFAD employs more than 30 individuals at its plant located just outside Uganda’s capital, Kampala. They use their hands to craft items from banana fibres, which are then exported to Europe, including rugs and lampshades. The versatility of banana fibre, which can be softened to a cotton-like texture, has led to TEXFAD’s experimentation with fabric production.

Moreover, TEXFAD is working alongside researchers to explore the development of fabrics from banana fibres. The company is also in the process of designing hair extension products that could replace synthetic alternatives. All TEXFAD products are biodegradable, addressing environmental concerns associated with synthetic fibres.

Faith Kabahuma, a member of TEXFAD’s banana hair development program, emphasizes the environmental advantages of their products. She notes that synthetic fibres often lead to environmental clogging, making biodegradable alternatives like TEXFAD’s hair extensions a more eco-friendly choice. These innovative products are set to enter the market soon, offering consumers sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to synthetic hair extensions.