The African Development Bank (AfDB), through its AfriCircular Innovators Programme, has selected 30 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Rwanda to receive financing and technical assistance to scale up their circular economy initiatives.
The inaugural cohort, chosen as part of the AfDB’s Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) and in partnership with the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), participated in an online onboarding event on August 9.
The AfriCircular Innovators Programme is designed to support innovative circular economy solutions that promote sustainable and inclusive growth. The selected enterprises are set to receive support in scaling their initiatives across five high-potential sectors: packaging, food systems, built environment, electronics, and fashion and textile.
Among the selected businesses is Ndintambwe Feeds Limited from Rwanda, which produces eco-friendly animal feeds using insects as an alternative to traditional soybean and fishmeal. Another beneficiary, Siboré Luxury Hair, expressed excitement about the opportunity to optimize production processes, reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency through the programme.
The AfriCircular Innovators Programme aligns with the AfDB’s Jobs for Youth in Africa (JfYA) Strategy, emphasizing the importance of leveraging Africa’s growing youth population for economic growth. The ACEF remains the sole Multi-Donor Trust Fund dedicated to mainstreaming the circular economy in Africa, aiming to drive inclusive, green growth, optimize resource efficiency, and create sustainable job opportunities.
