Addis Ababa: Ethiopia has launched today a National Circular Economy Roadmap to unleash the country’s full potential of the circular economy through creating an enabling environment.
The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.
Circular Economy Roadmaps are a strategic tool for promoting comprehensive change in developing countries towards a circular economy through concrete and practical solutions tailored to the countries’ unique context that allow them to transition from a linear to a circular economic model.
They contain a vision as well as goals and tangible action points that support them in adopting and implementing circular economy solutions.
The Environmental Authority of Ethiopia has today launched Ethiopia’s Circular Economy Roadmap in collaboration with African Development Bank, Embassy of Finland, Africa Circular Economy Facility and African Ci
rcular Economy Alliance in Addis Ababa.
The kickoff of the project in Ethiopia aligns the country with Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Uganda in adopting Circular Economy principles to address developmental challenges.
National Circular Economy Roadmap (NCER) project will be financed by the African Development Bank and Embassy of Finland in Ethiopia with technical support by African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA).
The project in Ethiopia is expected to expedite the efficient use of resources, strengthen policy, legal and institutional frameworks, and enhance capacity in the public and private sectors.
Furthermore, the National Circular Economy Roadmap seeks to address significant socio-economic and environmental challenges that Ethiopia faces including unemployment, rapid urbanization, and inefficient waste management, it was underscored.
Speaking at the occasion, African Development Bank representative and Principal Country Program Officer, John Bosco Bukenya said NCER project in Ethiopia is the Circular E
conomy in Africa that represents a billion-dollar opportunity and is part of the solution to climate change.
Stressing the need to establish an enabling environment to unleash the potential of circular economy, he added that it is the reason why African Development Bank works with the National Circular Economy Roadmaps.
The Roadmap will be in line with Ethiopia’s 10-Year Development Plan, which advocates for inclusive and sustainable growth through agro-industrialization, improved connectivity, and competitiveness, he pointed out.
Finland Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sinikka Antila said that NCER project Ethiopia will conserve resources, reduce pollution, create green jobs and stimulate economic growth in the country.
Furthermore, the project will support the country’s goal of a 68.8 percent reduction in emissions by 2030, she noted.
Deputy Director General of the Environmental Protection Authority, Negus Lemma lauded African Development Bank and Embassy of Finland in Ethiopia for financing NCER project Ethio
pia.
He also expressed his gratitude for African Circular Economy Alliance for its technical support of the project.
“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”, he stated.
The Key sectors for intervention of the Ethiopian National Circular Economy Roadmap include construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and waste management.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency