What most farmers in Nigeria consider waste, Tare Robinson Korumene sees as gold. Where rotting plantain and banana stems once littered farmlands, she has uncovered the raw material for a sustainable beauty revolution.
As the visionary founder of Eco-Fip Nig Ltd. and Dunaly Fibre Hair Extensions, Robinson has pioneered a process that transforms discarded plantain pseudostems into premium hair extensions, fashion accessories, furniture, and even footwear. Her model doesn’t just recycle waste — it reimagines it as the foundation of a greener, more inclusive economy.
The science behind her innovation is as practical as it is elegant. Farmers traditionally abandon the cut-down trunks after harvest, but Robinson’s team retrieves them, extracts the fibres inside, and refines them into soft, lightweight, and dyeable strands. The results are extensions that mimic the texture and beauty of human hair while being biodegradable, non-toxic, and affordable.
This breakthrough began in the quiet of the COVID-19 lockdown, when Robinson, inspired by Ugandan experiments with sisal fibres, started testing plantain stalks in her workshop. What emerged was not just a substitute for synthetic hair, but a direct challenge to two persistent industry problems: the health hazards of petroleum-based plastics like Kanekalon and the skyrocketing cost of human hair. Her fibre wigs strike a balance — natural, safe, and accessible.
Robinson’s approach goes beyond beauty. With circular design thinking, every part of the stem finds a purpose: fibres become extensions and accessories, while liquids and by-products are repurposed for other industries. This creates a full-value chain where farmers earn income, waste is eliminated, and sustainability becomes profitable.
Now her sights are set on the global stage. Through Dunaly Fibre Hair Extensions, Robinson is seeking international partnerships and preparing for mass production. She is already showcasing her innovation to new markets — including a headline exhibition at CARIFESTA XV in Barbados, where her plantain-fibre hair will debut before an international audience.
Her work illustrates a larger truth: Africa’s creative solutions to environmental and economic challenges can shape global industries. By turning overlooked resources into world-class products, Robinson isn’t just building a brand — she’s building a blueprint for sustainable innovation in beauty, fashion, and beyond.
