The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced that 30 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Rwanda have been selected to receive financing and technical assistance through the AfriCircular Innovators Programme. This initiative, which is funded by the AfDB’s Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) and implemented in partnership with the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), aims to foster sustainable and inclusive growth by supporting innovative circular economy solutions.
The selected SMEs participated in an online onboarding event on August 9, marking the beginning of their journey to scale their circular initiatives. The program focuses on five key sectors identified by ACEA for their potential in job creation and economic growth: packaging, food systems, the built environment, electronics, and fashion and textiles.
Some of the innovative enterprises included in this inaugural cohort are involved in diverse projects, such as developing smart energy metering systems, utilizing coconut husks in the construction industry, converting plastic waste into durable construction blocks, and digitalizing the collection and processing of e-waste. For instance, Ndintambwe Feeds Limited from Rwanda, which produces affordable animal feeds using insects and maggots as environmentally friendly alternatives to soybean and fishmeal, is among the beneficiaries.
Jean-Bosco Nshutiyimana, the founder of Ndintambwe Feeds Limited, expressed gratitude for the support, noting that the company faces significant challenges in terms of financial capacity and the skills needed to sustain a profitable recycling business without harming the environment. Similarly, Siboré Luxury Hair, represented by Koumbem Emilienne, highlighted the benefits of the AfriCircular Innovators Programme in helping the company optimize production processes, reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency.
The AfriCircular Innovators Programme is aligned with the AfDB’s Jobs for Youth in Africa (JfYA) Strategy, which aims to harness the continent’s growing youth population as a driver of economic growth. With Africa’s youth population expected to double to over 830 million by 2050, initiatives like this are crucial in addressing high unemployment and underemployment.
As the only Multi-Donor Trust Fund dedicated to mainstreaming the circular economy in Africa, the ACEF strategically finances initiatives that drive inclusive and green growth, optimize resource efficiency, foster innovation, and create sustainable job opportunities.
