African Experts Call for Innovative Collaboration in Transition to Circular Economy

Nairobi: At a recent five-day journalist training event in Nairobi, Kenya, stakeholders and experts in the circular economy paradigm urged African nations to adopt collaborative and innovative approaches. The transition from a linear to a circular economy is essential for fostering inclusive economies across the continent.

According to Africa Science News, chair of the Africa Circular Economy Innovation partnership, Africa needs to adopt regenerative and collaborative local approaches, utilizing indigenous culture as a key element in achieving a meaningful transition. The workshop, which focused on circularity, brought together science journalists from Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

Ntobeko Bayana of the South Africa charter on Africa Circular Economy network, speaking virtually, emphasized the historical precedence of circularity in African practices. He highlighted the need for Africans to revisit traditional methods to ensure the success of the circular economy concept in Africa.

Bayana also pointed out the significant waste of resources inherent in the linear economy model, noting that globally, one-third of food is wasted, leading to an annual financial loss of USD 1 trillion. He also mentioned the cost of marine plastics to the global economy, estimated at up to USD 2.5 trillion per year.

The transition to a circular economy, however, faces challenges due to the lack of adequate legal frameworks, policies, and regulations at both regional and continental levels. Rosa-Nduati Mutero, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, emphasized the importance of a strong regional legal framework in accelerating this paradigm shift and enhancing compliance.

Mutero, also the managing partner at ALN Kenya, called on the East Africa Legislative Assembly to expedite the approval of the legal draft governing the Circular Economy in East Africa. She noted that Europe had spent over ten years developing a legal framework to support the circular economy.

Hector Gerra highlighted the crucial role of the media in educating the public about the circular economy in the African context. He challenged journalists to lead sensitization and public awareness campaigns about circularity in Africa, emphasizing the media’s responsibility in driving understanding and engagement in this transformative economic model.