Rwanda: In Kigali, the World Circular Economy Forum paves the way for African leadership towards a circular future | African Development Bank

More than 2,000 delegates, including Africans from across the continent, attended the 2022 World Circular Economy Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, held December 6-8.

The event positioned Africa as a potential global leader in driving adoption of the circular economy paradigm thanks to its youthful population, immense resources and entrepreneurial dynamism. It also showcased circular solutions from Africa and the Global South, including recycled building materials, textile clothing recycling and aquaponics food systems.

The African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), the Government of Rwanda and the Finnish innovation fund Sitra jointly hosted the Forum. The African Development Bank, which houses ACEA’s secretariat, played a role in the event’s agenda.

The main themes of the event were climate and nature, youth, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as trade and value chains.

In a statement, Jeanne D’Arc Mujawamaria, Rwanda’s Environment Minister of Rwanda, stressed the importance of access to finance to support the circular transition. She said: “Collaboration is key to better access to technology and finance that enable circularity. Finance is an important factor and we need to improve the way we invest in circular economy companies and create an enabling environment.”

Aissa Touré Sarr, the African Development Bank’s country manager for Rwanda, led a delegation to the Forum. In her opening remarks, she said: “Investing in companies and ecosystems working on circular economy solutions offers an opportunity to drive transformation and innovation across society. Africa’s future economic growth and the prosperity of its people are closely linked to a successful transition to a green and resilient economy.”

Through its Multi-donor Trust Fund, the Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF), the African Development Bank supports the creation and dissemination of circular practices in regional member states. ACEF receives funding from the Government of Finland and the Nordic Development Fund.

Sitra President Jyrki Katainen said WCEF will continue to provide a platform for partnerships, learning and concrete action. “Circular economy interventions can halt global biodiversity loss and help restore global biodiversity,” says Katainen. “Circularity is crucial, not only to keep valuable materials in use, but also to ease the pressure on extracting new natural resources;” he said.

A notice will be issued after the forum. The WCEF2022 Kigali Call to Action urges African countries to create a conducive environment for circular businesses and to pursue the social, economic and environmental benefits of the circular economy for Africans and the world. The Communication also calls for steps to promote scalable local technologies and harness youth innovation to boost the circular economy in Africa.

Held each year, the WCEF brings together business leaders, policy makers and experts from around the world to showcase the world’s best solutions for the circular economy. It explores how societies and businesses can seize new opportunities to accelerate the global transition to a circular economy in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. WCEF 2023 will take place in Helsinki, Finland, it was announced.