CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN AFRICA AT COP30
This page gathers insights and updates on how circular economy in Africa can contribute to tackling global climate goals. With circular economy featured among COP30's core thematic areas, Africa's emerging initiatives offer concrete pathways for integrating resource efficiency and sustainable production into climate action.
COP30 opened with circular economy featured among the core themes for the first two days : a signal that circularity is moving from concept to implementation on the global climate agenda.
For Africa and the broader international community, this presents an opportunity to demonstrate how circular solutions address both emissions reduction and resource security, two interconnected dimensions of the climate crisis.
THE GLOBAL RELEVANCE OF AFRICA's CIRCULAR TRANSITION
Africa's circular economy transition holds significant implications for global climate goals:
As the continent's material consumption is projected to triple in the coming decades, the development pathway it will chose will influence progress toward the 1.5°C target, particularly given that 45% of global emissions stem from materials production, which energy transition alone cannot address.
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Furthermore, Africa's young workforce, over 60% of the population under 25, will shape future consumption patterns globally, making the continent's transition a test case for circular economy scalability.
Africa's experience combines climate mitigation, resilience building, and economic development offering practical insights into how circular economy addresses the material dimensions of climate action.
1.5 Gt COâ‚‚ of emissions cut by 2050 through circular economy
achievable if Africa's tripling material consumption follows circular pathways
1.3 billion urban residents in African cities by 2050
establishing circular construction and materials efficiency as core to global adaptation frameworks.
A POTENTIAL OF 11 million GREEN jobs CREATED by 2030
making circular economy as one of Africa's strongest pathways for a just climate transition
USD 546 billion GLOBAL circular market value
positioning Africa to turn climate ambition into industrial and economic transformation