Ethiopia Launches National Circular Economy Roadmap with AfDB Support

The process was inaugurated on July 19 in Addis Ababa, with Ethiopian government officials and AfDB representatives in attendance.

Ethiopia has officially embarked on developing a National Circular Economy Roadmap (NCER) with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), marking a significant step towards sustainable economic growth. The process was inaugurated on July 19 in Addis Ababa, with Ethiopian government officials and AfDB representatives in attendance.

The Roadmap is funded by the Bank’s Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) and will be developed in collaboration with the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA). This initiative aims to address Ethiopia's pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges, such as high unemployment, rapid urbanization, and inefficient waste management.

John Bosco Bukenya, Principal Country Program Officer at the Bank Group, highlighted the opportunity that the circular economy represents for Africa, stating, "The Circular Economy in Africa represents a billion-dollar opportunity and is part of the solution to climate change.” Bukenya emphasized that establishing an enabling environment is crucial to unlocking this potential, which is exactly what the NCER aims to achieve.

The development of Ethiopia’s Circular Economy Roadmap aligns with the country's 10-Year Development Plan, which focuses on inclusive and sustainable growth through agro-industrialization, enhanced connectivity, and increased competitiveness. The Roadmap will also contribute to Ethiopia’s ambitious target of a 68.8 percent reduction in emissions by 2030.

Nugus Lemma, Deputy Director-General of Ethiopia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), expressed appreciation for the AfDB’s financial support, stating, "The Circular Economy is not an option, it is mandatory for Ethiopia. This is an economic model that will help the country to adopt a more sustainable path, and it is our responsibility to work together to make it happen in our country."

The Roadmap will focus on key sectors including construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and waste management. Its implementation is expected to conserve resources, reduce pollution, create green jobs, and stimulate economic growth.

Ethiopia’s initiative is part of a broader multi-country program by ACEF, which also includes Chad, Cameroon, Benin, and Uganda. ACEF is the sole multi-donor trust fund dedicated to promoting the circular economy as a strategy for green growth across Africa.