The EU and UNIDO join forces to promote the Circular Economy in Senegal and West Africa

State institutions, the private sector, development partners and civil society are invited to the conference, which aims to promote sustainable economic growth and job creation in West Africa.

In Africa, the circular economy represents a real opportunity to achieve sustainable development, while also boosting competitiveness, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and reducing the high costs associated with environmental degradation.

The conference provides an opportunity to discuss the benefits of the transition, drawing on the EU’s experience. It is also a chance to learn from UNIDO’s expertise in developing green industries, identify pockets of excellence in the West African region, and discuss the opportunities for broader circular action on the continent.

Experts from Europe and West Africa will focus on issues such as waste management, food value chains, green and sustainable cities, green industrial parks, water management, and sustainable finance. Youth employment – especially for young women – through the creation of startups will be at the heart of the debates.

This event will also contribute to the implementation of the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs launched by the EU in September 2018, following the 5th African Union-European Union Summit.

The circular economy concept was widely endorsed at the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly, and a growing number of African countries are embarking on this path. The transition will however require major investment and depend on enabling policy frameworks and cooperation between the EU and West Africa in the context of the EU External Investment Plan and the ‘SWITCH to Green’ programme, as well as capacity building[1] and private sector development[2] activities.

[1]https://ec.europa.eu/commission/eu-external-investment-plan_en

[2]https://www.switchafricagreen.org/index.php?lang=en