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Can agroecology close the loop in Africa’s food systems?

October 28, 2026

Dear subscriber,

In my village home in rural Kenya, using organic waste to grow vegetables and crops is a common practice. We use what might otherwise be discarded to enrich the soil. Agroecology builds on this principle, but can these practices be scaled to reduce farmers’ reliance on synthetic fertilisers?

Mercy Maina – Editor

Farms need nutrients, while markets and food processors across the continent generate organic waste. Agroecology connects the two, replenishing soil nutrients while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers. Scaling this approach will depend on the cost of recovering, processing and distributing organic materials. 

  • Prioritising soil health, biodiversity and natural processes, agroecology reinforces ecological principles in farming. It promotes circularity by recycling nutrients and organic matter and finding productive uses for organic waste. 

  • A new ActionAid International report links agroecological practices in Kenya to an average 37.8% increase in farm profits, with lower spending on external inputs contributing to improved profitability. 

  • Our take: Agroecology offers a route to closing nutrient loops, but making that circularity work depends on infrastructure and farm economics… Read more (2 min)

Opinion: Can textile waste become a viable business in Africa?

As Africa pursues value recovery from its waste, biotechnology researcher Iuliia Golovina sees the 5.8 million tonnes of textile waste generated annually across sub-Saharan Africa as a business opportunity. She argues that discarded textiles could provide feedstock for acoustic panels targeting the region’s construction market.

  • “A more realistic entry point is a narrow business-to-business segment: interior designers fitting out offices, hospitality operators seeking quieter shared spaces, schools improving learning environments, and contractors installing decorative wall treatments,” she says.

  • Ms Golovina is a biotechnology researcher at Russia’s Ufa University of Science and Technology and an independent author exploring circular biotechnology, textile waste valorisation and the recovery of valuable compounds from citrus and coniferous biomass. Her interest in Africa centres on developing locally relevant technologies that turn underused resources into higher-value materials while supporting local enterprise.

  • Read the full opinion article here (2 min)

The continent’s southernmost region has dominated circular economy hiring for the third consecutive time, accounting for 15 of the 25 open roles tracked. South Africa leads with 13 vacancies, while Mozambique accounts for two. Roles were selected for their direct links to the circular economy through employers’ activities or job responsibilities.

  • Ireland-headquartered engineering and environmental consultancy Nicholas O’Dwyer is the largest single recruiter, advertising six wastewater engineering roles across Johannesburg and Durban to support the delivery of wastewater infrastructure projects.

  • Eleven of the 25 vacancies are reposted after expiring in the first half of the month. These technical roles include six wastewater engineering positions at Nicholas O’Dwyer, two senior mine-waste roles at engineering consultancy WSP in Africa and three senior positions at global industrial engineering group SEGULA Technologies.

  • Apply for these roles here

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Source: KEPRO Kenya

Students at a Kenyan school drop off waste at a dedicated station donated by KEPRO

Events

✍️ Register for the Somalia Circular Economy Forum (SCEF 2026) (Nov 4)

📅 Network at the the 2nd Annual ESG & Climate Africa Summit in Kenya (Nov 24)

🤝 Attend the Continental CE Business & Supply Chain Forum in Kenya (Nov 27)

Various 

🏭 Japan-funded Material Recovery Facility for waste management unveiled in Kenya

🎖️ Nigeria’s Chanja Datti Recycling awarded for excellence in circular economy

⁉️ Europe wants a circular economy. Will Africa inherit the waste?

⚗️ Stellenbosch innovators turn biowaste into valuable chemicals, saving firms $7m

❌ Guinea forced to lift single-use plastics ban less than three weeks after rollout 

⛰️ Global biosolids market to grow from $6.76bn in 2026 to $10.95bn by 2035

Seen on LinkedIn 

Bonnie Mbithi, CEO of WEEE Centre, says, “ As Africa expands its renewable energy capacity and emobility, responsible end-of-life recycling of solar panels, batteries, and other e-waste will be critical to protecting the environment, recovering valuable resources, and building a truly circular economy.”