By THE INDEPENDENT UG
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has been selected among five African countries to be supported by the African Development Bank to develop circular economy policies.
A circular economy represents an economic system grounded in the reuse and regeneration of products, fostering sustainable production practices, minimizing waste, and extending the life cycle of products. In contrast to the prevailing linear economic model, where products are manufactured, consumed, and discarded, a circular economy aims to create a closed loop where materials are continually reused.
When employed as an industrialization strategy, the circular economy has the potential to sever the link between resource use and economic development. This approach holds promise in addressing pressing African challenges such as climate change, food security, water scarcity, and the sustainable management of natural resources.
Uganda stands as an exemplary case, being one of five countries—alongside Benin, Ethiopia, and Cameroon—benefiting from the African Circular Economy Foundation’s (ACEF) multi-country national circular economy roadmap project. Uganda’s Vision 2040, established as early as 2007, laid the groundwork for a “green economy and clean environment” aiming for sustainable ecosystem management and improved urban livability.
Moreover, the Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy (2017) presents policy options that leverage and harmonize the interplay between economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity, addressing existing conflicts among economic, social, and environmental priorities.
The strategy directs attention to key areas with substantial potential for green growth investments, including agriculture, natural capital management, green cities (urban development), transport, and energy.
A development model grounded in circular economy principles presents an opportunity for Africa to confront challenges such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and unemployment, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
While certain practices aligned with this model are already underway due to individual initiatives, they lack specific policies and guidelines. Notably, there’s a growing trend of plastic bottle collection points established across the country. The initiation of the circular economy roadmap for Uganda is set to commence next week at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel.
The Africa Development Bank reports that its assistance to Uganda is financed through the Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF), a multi-donor trust fund managed by the Bank.
This support aims to empower Uganda to capitalize on circular economy opportunities, addressing challenges and aligning with its national goals. The proposed roadmap is anticipated to be a pivotal instrument for integrating the circular economy into Uganda’s national development strategies, steering growth.
The roadmap is set to provide guidance on necessary policies and projects for transitioning the country from a linear production model to a circular one. Embracing a circular economy not only holds the potential to make a substantial contribution to climate action, with the possibility of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60% by 2050, but also facilitates a shift towards sustainable and clean energy sources.
The circular economy represents a comprehensive avenue for societal transformation and innovation, offering substantial economic potential for fostering green growth.
This approach finds resonance beyond Uganda, with neighboring Rwanda already actively engaged in activities aligned with the circular economy.
Dr. Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, underscores that in Africa, the circular economy presents an annual market opportunity of around $8 billion. These circular economy strategies were part of the discussions at the recent UN Climate Change Conference held in Dubai.
Emmanuel Siakilo, Senior Advisor of Climate Change at the African Union Commission, highlighted the significance of the circular economy for Africa, emphasizing that the continent has ample opportunities not only to address climate change but also to position itself as a global solution to the climate crisis.
Siakilo emphasized, “This (circularity in Africa) is an important discussion to have, for Africa but also the globe because if waste is managed in all sectors, then clearly we are reducing discussions around major challenges that affect the world today.”
In progressing towards a circular economy, the African Union Commission (AUC) has devised the Continental Circular Economy Action Plan for Africa, serving as a roadmap for the transition to a circular model.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) plays a pivotal role in advancing circularity throughout the continent, primarily through the Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF), which stands as the sole multi-donor trust fund dedicated to integrating the circular economy into Africa.
Dr. Rose Mwebaza, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Director and Representative in Africa, stresses the importance of continued support in transitioning African nations toward circularity. She emphasizes, “We need to strengthen partnerships and alliances so that we define common goals and collaboratively mobilize resources needed to finance this implementation.” This underlines the necessity for collective efforts and resource mobilization to successfully implement circular economy practices in Africa.
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