Glytabs September 2025 Newsletter
From Waste to Wealth: Ethiopia’s Zafree Pioneers Banana-Based Paper
A young Ethiopian startup, Zafree, is rewriting the story of sustainability by transforming banana waste into paper and packaging materials. Founded in 2018, the company is addressing the twin challenges of agricultural waste and the environmental toll of conventional papermaking, which cuts down billions of trees and consumes massive amounts of water annually. By converting discarded banana stems into pulp, Zafree has saved over 500 trees, prevented 100 tonnes of carbon pollution, and created new income streams for more than 20 local farmers, while employing over 100 gig workers. Its product range now includes kraft paper, cartons, shopping bags, notebooks, and pulp foams designed for both local and international markets. With its CEO, Bethelhem Dejene Abebe, already being recognized globally for this innovation, Zafree’s circular economy model is offering a blueprint for greener economies in Africa and beyond, at a time when the world is seeking urgent alternatives to single-use plastics and wood-based packaging.
At Glytabs Consulting Limited, we see such innovations as Zafree’s as powerful reminders that solutions to some of our toughest sustainability challenges lie within the rethinking of our food and agriculture systems. Re-purposing agricultural by-products into value-added products not only drives environmental stewardship but also serves to strengthen livelihoods and local economies. Our work across agribusiness, food systems, and regulatory compliance is inspired by such practical examples of transformation. We remain committed to supporting enterprises and policymakers who are advancing circular economy solutions to promote sustainability, create jobs, and build resilient food systems for Africa’s future.
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