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- New funding model could reshape Africa’s circular financing
New funding model could reshape Africa’s circular financing
Dear subscriber,
African cities are finally being made to mind their money. With a new performance-based financing model, funds only flow when results show, and it might just shake up the continent’s circular economy.
Mercy Maina - Editor
 | In a landmark move for Africa’s circular finance landscape, South Africa has secured a $925 million loan from the World Bank through a performance-based funding model. The financing is tied to measurable improvements in urban service delivery, including solid waste management, across eight major metropolitan municipalities. |
The funding is the first-ever Program-for-Results (PforR) operation in the country. PforR is a results-based financing instrument that disburses funds only after agreed results are achieved and verified.
By tying financial support to measurable outcomes, results-based models incentivise performance, and strengthen accountability while ensuring a sharp focus on tangible development targets.
Our take: If successfully implemented, the approach could be replicated across the continent..… Read more (2 min)
 | Despite robust policies, Kenya’s shift to a circular economy is hindered by entrenched behaviours and low public responsibility for waste, says Sammy Odamo, chairperson of the Nairobi Circular Economy Association (NACEA). He stresses that policies alone cannot succeed without a change in mindsets and greater citizen engagement. |
NACEA is a grassroots coalition uniting community-based organisations (CBOs), private companies, service providers, waste pickers, collectors, aggregators and recyclers. The association is driven by a shared purpose of addressing Nairobi’s growing waste management challenges while creating opportunities within the circular economy.
In an interview, Mr Odamo calls for greater investment in raising public awareness and localising information about waste management and circular economy practices, ensuring that communities understand their role.
Find the full conversation here (2 min)
 | African circularity reporting could soon be transformed following the launch of a new framework. At the ongoing COP30 in Brazil, UNEP and partners have unveiled the Global Circularity Protocol for Business, a voluntary standard for measuring circularity. It aims to embed circularity at the core of business strategy. |
The protocol’s principles could prove especially relevant for African businesses as they create a practical foundation for companies seeking to transition from linear to circular models within the continent’s unique economic context.
However, implementing the protocol may be challenging for African businesses due to limited technical capacity, data infrastructure and financing, risking slow adoption.
Our take: Piloting the GCP in key sectors could help African businesses explore its practical benefits and generate insights to inform wider adoption across the continent…Read more (2 min)
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Source: Construction Safety
Newly-launched landfill gas-to-power facility in South Africa
Events
🗓️ Attend the 10th Circular Economy Conference in Nairobi (November 18)
🗓️ Explore sustainability at the G20 Summit in South Africa (November 22)
🗓️ Register for the Artistic Pulse Festival in Nigeria (December 3)
🗓️ Network at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi (December 8)
Jobs
🧑💼 Be the next Environmental Specialist at Fluor Corporation (Djibouti)
🧑💼 Oversee a solid waste management project at DT Global (Tanzania)
🧑💼 Work as Circular Economy Consultant at ITU (Africa)
🧑💼 Design landfill infrastructure at NEC (Seychelles)
🧑💼 Supervise mechanical systems for a landfill project at NEC (Seychelles)
🧑💼 Provide design inputs for landfill berms at NEC (Seychelles)
🧑💼 Oversee daily landfill construction works at NEC (Seychelles)
🧑💼 Lead overall landfill project design at NEC (Seychelles)
🧑💼 Administer landfill project contracts at NEC (Seychelles)
🧑💼 Manage landfill project drawings at NEC (Seychelles)
🧑💼 Assess environmental impact of landfill project at NEC (Seychelles)
Various
🗑️ How municipal waste is crippling South Africa
✍️ Lagos signs three new waste conversion agreements
🤝 Brazil to support Comoros’ waste management practices
❓ How waste pickers in South Africa are driving recycling
⛔ Kenya to ban electronics imports over 12 years old
⛽ Cape Town launches landfill gas-to-energy plant
Seen on LinkedIn
Ifeyiwa Brendan-Ndukwu, a sustainable fashion expert, says, “Circular fashion isn’t just a sustainability trend. It’s Africa’s opportunity to redefine value by merging creativity, culture, and conscious production. When we design with purpose, we build economies that respect both people and the planet.”