Angola, Liberia, Madagascar, and Senegal Launch First National Circular Economy Roadmaps with AfDB Support

Angola, Liberia, Madagascar, and Senegal are set to develop their inaugural national circular economy roadmaps with technical and financial backing from the African Circular Economy Facility (ACEF), managed by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Their participation brings the total number of countries actively engaged across various phases of the program to eight.

For these four economies, the immediate next step involves identifying priority sectors where resource reuse, recycling, and waste valorization can catalyze new economic activities. The program will focus on establishing clear national priorities, strengthening inter-institutional coordination, and defining the enabling conditions required to successfully implement projects.

This momentum extends well beyond the newest participants. Benin, Chad, Ethiopia, and Mauritius have already advanced to the implementation phase of their respective roadmaps. According to the AfDB, 32 African countries responded to its latest call for expressions of interest, underscoring a rapidly growing continental appetite for this sustainable economic model.

For African governments, the circular economy offers strategic advantages that go far beyond traditional waste management. It provides a proven pathway to reduce dependence on virgin raw materials and retain greater economic value within local markets. Agricultural byproducts can be converted into renewable energy or high-value inputs, while materials recovered from end-of-life products can be seamlessly reintegrated into industrial supply chains.

This regenerative approach spans a diverse range of industries. The AfDB-backed roadmaps specifically target agriculture, water management, forestry, textiles, construction, manufacturing, energy, and plastics.

Early results already hint at the scale of these ambitions. Chad aims to create over 25,000 green jobs by 2035 and cut non-recycled waste by 40%. Meanwhile, Benin’s action plan, launched in February 2026, targets a 25% recycling rate and the establishment of 300 specialized circular economy enterprises.

For the four new entrants, the real challenge will be translating national strategy into investment-ready projects capable of attracting private and public capital. To this end, the Facility will provide targeted technical assistance focused on strengthening institutional frameworks and structuring bankable initiatives.

This phase unfolds against a broader continental backdrop: Africa’s push to finance its industrialization while minimizing the economic value loss associated with exporting minimally processed resources. The circular economy fits squarely into this equation—producing more from existing resources, building resilient local value chains, and fostering new enterprises around recycling, reuse, and resource recovery.

Ultimately, the true test for Angola, Liberia, Madagascar, and Senegal will not be the publication of their roadmaps, but their ability to catalyze investment, spawn new businesses, and create viable markets for recycled materials.

SEO Meta Description: Angola, Liberia, Madagascar, and Senegal join the African Circular Economy Facility program to develop national roadmaps. Learn how the AfDB-backed initiative targets green jobs, waste valorization, and sustainable industrialization across Africa.
Target Keywords: circular economy Africa, African Development Bank, national circular economy roadmap, green jobs Africa, waste valorization, sustainable industrialization, ACEF program