Harnessing Technology in the Circular Economy for Climate Action in Africa

28 February 2023.  Africa’s population is expected to double by 2050, reaching 2.5 billion, and the amount of waste generated on the continent could triple by 2050, exerting further pressure on resources, economic activities, and sustainable livelihoods. While 70–80 % of the municipal solid waste generated in Africa is recyclable, only 4 % is currently recycled, and only half of all waste generated is collected, much of it disposed of in dumpsites, rendering Africa home to 19 of the 50 world’s largest dumpsites. 

Circular economy practices and technologies disrupt the traditional linear economy that has relied upon an unsustainable model of production and consumption, accompanied by an ever-growing quantity of waste. Given the need to design systems and technologies that increase resource efficiency, African nations are gaining momentum using the circular economy to meet their climate change and sustainable development goals while reaping a myriad of environmental, social, and economic benefits. 

Across a diverse range of sectors – including agriculture and food systems, the built environment, e-waste, plastics, and textiles – innovative technologies are serving as key enablers of the circular economy in Africa and beyond. 

Resource:

UNEP (2023) Harnessing Technology in the Circular Economy for Climate Action in Africa #64 p.