Rwanda’s stand in circularity model
At least 40 Women in Gahanga have been employed in Plastic Recycling Business
Our Reporter
The experts in Circular Economy are meeting in Rwanda for the first ever World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) on the African Continent which starts from Tuesday, 6th to 8th December 2022.
The forum comes at the time Rwanda continues to invest a lot of efforts in addressing the issue of waste management and promoting recycling as a viable way towards the circularity across the country.
Speaking at a Press Briefing on Monday, Beatrice Cyiza, the Director General from Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment explained that Rwanda has been promoting circularity where for instance, through the Rwanda Environment Management Authority, the country has enacted laws including the law banning single plastic use and encouraging more recycling.
She added that “Rwanda signed a charter for the Africa Circular Economy Alliance together with South Africa and Nigeria, and you should already know that the ACEA is led by the African government, which is also counting Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, among its members.”
Ms. Beatrice Cyiza noted that the African governments into ACEA aims to spur Africa’s transformation to a circular economy that delivers economic growth, job and positive environmental outcomes.
“We are pleased to see the increasing interest from more African governments in the Alliance to drive the circular agenda in Rwanda. Rwanda Environment management, for example, has signed an MOU with the private sector in 2020 and the MOU aims to facilitate and promote the trade and venture triggering the growth of our national circular economy. And companies such as Eco plastic recycle old plastic and create new products for exceptional use in the hospital and elsewhere.” She said,
With examples, Ms. Beatrice noted that so far Tumba College of technology and Enviroserve both have already refurbished more than 400 computers for the use in local schools.
“So those are examples on the grounds of what we call a circularity model.” She said,
“Hosting the First World Circular Economy Forum on African soil, as we see, it’s a global event that will provide a unique opportunity and a unique platform for engagement and building relationships that will accelerate Africa’s and Rwanda’s green growth and circular Economy in general.” She explained.
“So it will help all of us in raising awareness in Rwanda and across the continent, about the opportunities…for our economies to become more circular. We will learn from each other and more importantly jointly drive Africa’s circular economy and showcase circular innovations and businesses from Africa to the world. As a government, we are very pleased to welcome the world to Rwanda” Ms. Beatrice Cyiza told the media ahead of the forum.
About WCEF
The annual World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) presents the world’s leading circular economy solutions with business leaders, policymakers and experts participating from around the world.
Circular economy approaches can help businesses seize new opportunities and gain a competitive advantage, as well as contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
WCEF is a global initiative of Finland and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. The first Forum, WCEF2017, identified key elements of a circular economy and showcased solutions and learnings from around the world, bringing together 1,500 people from more than 100 countries.
At WCEF2018, more than one 1,000 circular economy experts discussed creating a true circular economy by 2050. WCEF2019 emphasised the next era of the circular economy and scaling up the transition, with more than 2,200 participants.
As the world adjusted to the impacts of COVID-19, in 2020 WCEFonline presented the circular solutions to rebooting the world’s economy and opened its doors to more than 4,200 participants through its new online format. In 2021, there were two big events. WCEF+Climate focused on the crucial role of a circular economy in achieving climate neutrality. The main event WCEF2021 in Toronto, Canada focused on seizing circular opportunities, reaching over 26,000 participants from 134 countries.
From Africa to the World.
The World Circular Economy Forum 2022 brings together forward-looking thinkers and doers and presents the game-changers in the circular economy for the first time in Africa. WCEF2022 is co-organised by the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), the Republic of Rwanda, the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) and The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, with international partners.
