ECA and Comesa back circular economy to industrialise Africa
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Uneca
The Economic Commission for Africa and Comesa are promoting the circular economy to accelerate industrialisation and develop regional value chains in leather, textiles, plastics and electronic waste. Participants meeting in Harare also discussed investment and jobs, according to the Economic Commission for Africa.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) want to strengthen the circular economy to support regional industrialisation, job creation and value addition, according to the ECA. The two organisations promoted this approach at the second Green Industry Connect meeting, held in Harare as part of the 19th Comesa Business Forum.
Participants examined circular business models and value chains in the leather, textile, plastics and electronic waste sectors. Discussions focused on ways to attract investment, strengthen circular production and retain more of the value generated from the continent’s resources.
The ECA also called for better coordination with Comesa in supporting member states, including through joint programmes, resource mobilisation and capacity-building. Oliver Maponga, an economic affairs officer at the ECA, called for activities under two programmes on the circular economy and green industrialisation in Southern Africa to be brought closer together.
The meeting was held in Harare, where Zimbabwe recently called on businesses to accelerate green industrialisation. Zimbabwe’s call to accelerate green industrialisation sheds light on regional discussions about sustainable industrial transformation.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
