We are pleased to announce that 4 African Circular Economy Network Country Representatives were speaking at this webinar: Bezawit Esthetu Gizaw (Ethiopia), Dean Tashobya (Uganda), Venan Sondo (Ghana) and Amos Ncube (Zimbabwe).

The webinar will focus on the topic “Africa and the Circular Economy: Opportunities, Benefits and Trends” will be a 1-day capacity-building and B2B match-making webinar with conference sessions and two break-out deal rooms.

The conference sessions will expose African companies and governments to the concept of the circular economy and highlight its advantages over the traditional linear economy where products are made, used and disposed.

The break-out deal rooms will serve as a platform for B2B, B2G and B2C engagements where one-on-one and commercial round tables based on sectors will be held.

The Circular Economy (CE) is that economic system that is intentionally designed to be restorative and regenerative with a focus on reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, re-manufacturing and recycling to create a close loop system. In a circular economy system, processes are engineered such that as much as possible, waste, because an input for another product and new resource inputs and environmental pollution, are limited as much as possible.

Whereas the Circular Economy is gaining traction in Europe and Asia, Africa is perhaps where it may have the greatest impact. It may also be easier to inculcate such concepts as the CE in Africa where economic development is still happening at a nascent stage and key industries are just now being developed. Development along the principles of the circular economy will undoubtedly push Africa faster towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals particularly goal #12 “Sustainable Production and Consumption”.

The webinar will be conducted in two tracks

The first track will focus on the following topics:

• Water and environmental control
• Renewable energy
• Agriculture and food processing
• Packaging and plastics

The second track will focus on the following topics:

• General manufacturing and industry
• Green building and infrastructure
• Automobile and logistics
• Oil and Gas

Each track will last for 3-4 hours and will culminate in a break out session for commercial engagements.