March 14, 2025

March 13, 2025

Environmental activists in Nigeria are protesting the government's application to import non-hazardous waste from the EU, arguing the country lacks the infrastructure to handle additional waste and could turn into a dumping ground. However, the imports could offer cheaper raw materials and increased investment for circular economy businesses.

  • Waste imports, if properly managed, could supercharge Africa’s circular economy. Imported materials like textiles and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) already power Nigerian industries.

  • However, without strong oversight, unchecked waste imports could flood the market with low-value materials, undermining local recyclers and worsening pollution.

  • Our take: Africa stands at a crossroads: leverage global waste for sustainable development or risk becoming the world’s dumping ground… Read more (2 min)

Recycling startups in Rwanda are set to benefit from an inaugural initiative by GIZ Rwanda and BK Foundation aimed at improving their business capacity. Titled “Urumuri Initiative", the program will support 135 business owners with training, technical assistance and interest-free loans to boost their operations.

  • Africa’s circular economy relies heavily on informal waste collectors, who recover valuable materials with minimal pay and no protections. Empowering these workers through financing, training, and formal value chains could unlock massive potential, turning waste into a driver of sustainable growth.

  • Initiatives like Urumuri can formalize these efforts, linking local recyclers to larger markets and providing financial resources to help businesses scale, innovate, and become key players in Africa’s waste management ecosystem.

  • Our take: Africa’s circular economy has enormous potential, but grassroots entrepreneurship alone can’t fix systemic waste management failures… Read more (2 min)

Climate Fund Managers (CFM) is investing $3.1 million of EU-backed funding in a 30 MW waste-to-energy (WTE) project in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The facility will convert 365,000 tonnes of waste into 236.5 GWh of electricity annually, cutting 94,000 tonnes of carbon emissions while tackling waste and energy shortages.

  • Though blended finance has been used in WTE and circular economy projects in Africa, it remains relatively uncommon. The Sierra Leone project stands out because it leverages EU-backed blended finance through CFM, a structured investment approach that is not typical for WTE projects in Africa. 

  • Waste-to-energy offers a powerful solution for Africa’s waste and energy crises. Turning waste into electricity reduces landfill pressure, cuts emissions and provides renewable power. As cities grow, this model could enhance grid stability and support sustainable urban development across the continent.

  • Our Take: While waste-to-energy is transformative, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Africa’s true circular economy potential lies in waste reduction…Read more (2 min)

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Workers at Triple R Recycling facility in Abuja, Nigeria sorting plastic waste

Events

🗓️ Attend the launch of South African Circular Manufacturing Initiative (March 18)

🗓️ Sign up for Eswatini Waste Management & Circular Economy Seminar (March 24)

🗓️ Register for the Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa (September 15)

🗓️ Take part in the ESG Africa Conference in South Africa (October 15)

Jobs

🗑️ Join GIZ as a hazardous waste chemical expert (East and Central Africa)

👷  Be a labor contractor for recycling plant construction at Hand in Hand EA (Kenya)

♻️ Work as a Senior Programs Manager for a recycling project at TechnoServe (Nigeria)

Various 

🔊 Delta40 x  announces Bestseller Foundation Circular Economy Innovation Program

📚 South Africa publishes several technical reports about its  circular economy sector 

💰 Incitis Food invites  funding applications to develop circular food systems in Africa

Seen on LinkedIn 

Petra Warnecke, Director General Africa at GIZ says, “Africa is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world — including for sustainable innovations. Many countries are starting to introduce plastic bans and recycling quotas, but they lack the necessary technology, expertise, and investments. This presents major opportunities for international partnerships.”

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