Transitioning to a Circular Economy
RESEARCH PUBLICATION: Africa-EU Cooperation
Senegal
Circular Economy practices are intrinsic to Africa, where resource preservation is critical. The term ‘circular economy’ may not be widely used, but the innovative approaches to minimising waste are clear everywhere. Africa-EU cooperation is a potential pathway to scale local solutions for circular practices.
One of the inspirational Senegalese that gave input for our report is Babacar Thiaw, who runs a zero waste restaurant. The transition to a circular economy needs everyone to come on board, from national government to the small businesses that are the backbone of the economy.
The outcomes of the research conducted provides insight and recommendations for North-South collaboration that will drive a just transition.
Senegal’s development objectives are expressed in the Emerging Senegal Plan (PES) with the vision: An emerging Senegal in 2035, with a cohesive society under the rule of law. The PES recognises that the green economy is a means to meeting basic social needs and sustainable development. It has recently been complemented by a national policy on the circular economy, which places the country as a forerunner in West Africa.
Senegal is also one of the partner countries of the United Nations Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE). The EU and Senegal have adopted a joint statement outlining possible areas for cooperation, formalised as the ‘Dakar Pathways to Advance Circular Economy, Green Industries and Jobs in West Africa’.
The identified pathways to advance Circular Economy in Senegal are:
– The role of green industries in paving the way for the broader transition to a circular economy in the region, and globally;
– The potential of waste as a resource;
– Enabling policy and financial frameworks and encouraging innovation;
– A comprehensive awareness raising campaign that promotes new and sustainable production and consumption patterns through education at every level.
TOMA-Now has a holistic, systems-based approach to research that leads to actionable outcomes and interventions. We combine comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research, stakeholder engagement and in-depth value chain analysis, to give insight into impactful strategic interventions. This has the potential to unlock investment in green and circular industries.
Contact us for a copy of the report, or access online here
