ACEA at the
World Circular Economy Forum 2026
The African Circular Economy Alliance shares the continent’s perspectives and experience at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026, held from 15 to 18 September in Gandhinagar, India, under the theme "Circular economy in practice – enabling implementation, people, prosperity and resilient growth"
Africa’s circular transition, a global opportunity
At the WCEF2026, the African Circular Economy Alliance and the Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF), putting Africa’s circular transition into focus as an opportunity for industrial growth and cross-regional cooperation:
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A growing market for circular solutions
As Africa builds housing, infrastructure and manufacturing capacity, demand opens opportunities for circular materials, technologies and business models, with affordability and local production central to their uptake.
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An additional source of industrial material
Recovering metals from used electronics and batteries, and returning plastics to production, can build African processing industries while diversifying supply for manufacturers across regions.
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Regional scale for circular trade
Africa’s work on common standards for recycled materials can connect suppliers with buyers across national borders, offering larger markets for technology providers, manufacturers and investors.
Through ACEA and ACEF, these opportunities offer concrete entry points for cooperation on policy, enterprise development and investment.
PLENARY SESSION
It's often said that finance is the elephant in the room. But could the real issue be that the elephant is outside the room?"
Davinah Milenge Uwella, Chief Programme Coordinator AfDB
Africa's financial ecosystem holds nearly $4 trillion in assets, yet too little of this capital is being directed toward African markets, African innovation, and African livelihoods.
Through the National Alliance for African Financial Development (NAFAD), the African Development Bank Group is changing that narrative by putting Africa's financial sector to the center of its development agenda.
African Development Bank Group's initiatives (the Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) and African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) demonstrate how finance can unlock jobs, scale innovation and strengthen livelihoods by maximizing resources recovery through repair, reuse, and circular business models.
To accelerate the transition, ACEF, which finances ACEA, focuses on four key areas:
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Turning policy into investment opportunities: Policy frameworks do more than set direction (National Circular Economy Roadmaps - NCER. They create confidence for businesses and investors to channel capital where it has the greatest impact. The African Union's CircularEconomyActionPlan (CEAP) charts the path at continental level.
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Building viable revenue models for circular activities
Collection, recovery, and recycling systems need predictable sources of funding. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes provide the financial incentives and long-term revenue streams needed to grow circular value chains.
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Using standards to create larger markets
Common standards can help circular businesses move beyond their domestic markets. Credible and unified standards make it easier for producers to access buyers across borders and justify investment in larger-scale facilities (ACEA's collaboration with African Organisation for Standardisation - ARSO)
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Dedicated investment towards circular enterprise
The Bank supports circular economy entrepreneurs through technical assistance, grants, tailored business coaching, and peer-learning opportunities, to test, refine and strengthen their business models AfriCircular Innovators Programme and AfriCircular Growth Programme