Tunisian startup transforms olive waste into clean energy: Video
In a northern Tunisian olive grove, a small workshop buzzes with activity as a machine processes olive waste into a valuable energy source.
The innovative effort, led by entrepreneur Yassine Khelifi, offers a sustainable alternative in a country that heavily relies on imported fuel.
For generations, rural households in Tunisia have used olive waste for cooking, heating, and animal feed. Now, Khelifi’s startup, Bioheat, is refining this age-old practice into a modern, scalable energy solution.
"It's very simple. Imagine producing energy and making money from waste, or as we say in Tunisia, 'kammama,'" said Khelifi. "The key is development - knowing how to turn something worthless into something valuable."
The innovative energy source has already caught the attention of business owners looking for cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions. Selim Sahli, who owns a guest house in Bouargoub, has incorporated olive waste-based logs into his heating system.
"Logs are more practical - not just from an ecological standpoint, but also financially," Sahli explained. "Wood prices have risen, and my expenses have dropped by 30% since I started using these logs. It's a much more economical option."
