The Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC) recently embarked on a scoping tour across three key West African countries: Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, under the IDRC-funded Digital Innovation for Circular Economy project. This mission aimed to understand the dynamics of small businesses and how digital innovation can scale circular economy initiatives across diverse ecosystems.

Our exploration revealed clear distinctions between the Anglophone and Francophone regions. Notably, Anglophone countries like Ghana showed a faster-paced micro-entrepreneurship landscape compared to their Francophone counterparts. However, a shared theme across all countries was the immense potential of the circular economy to drive job creation and access to capital, particularly for small and micro-businesses.

We observed varying levels of government and foreign investor involvement, especially in waste management. Senegal stood out for its proactive government policies promoting circular economy practices, and we see tremendous opportunity for digital innovation to play a catalytic role.

In collaboration with the Enterprise Development Center, we’re developing a comprehensive report that highlights the infrastructure needs, policy gaps, and innovation opportunities in this space. This will not only offer a guide for action but also strengthen the narrative of circular economy as a viable economic model in Africa.

Special thanks to the IDRC Senegal team for the hospitality and partnership. It was lovely to meet Dr. Marie-Gloriose Ingabire, the Regional Director, an experience that reinforced the value of regional collaboration.

At NCIC, we remain committed to driving green innovation and unlocking sustainable finance mechanisms for circular economy ventures. Stay tuned for more insights from our findings.