Addressing high-level engagements on the margins of the Assembly, the Bank’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, Dr Kevin Kariuki, emphasised that circularity can strengthen global value chains while accelerating clean energy and digital transitions.
He noted that UNEA-7 comes at a decisive moment for the planet and for Africa, offering a platform to better align science, policy and finance in support of a more resilient and sustainable future.
The AfDB’s perspective featured prominently during Leadership Dialogue 2, titled “Round and round: Why circularity and sustainability are critical to the future of global industry”. Discussions highlighted Africa’s circular economy as an estimated $546 billion annual opportunity, with the potential to create more than 11 million jobs by 2030. Priority sectors identified included construction, food systems, plastics, textiles, electronics and mining-related value chains.
With nearly 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions linked to materials and resource use, participants examined how sustainable material management can underpin clean energy and digital transitions while strengthening resilience across critical industries. The dialogue also stressed the need for scalable practices, robust policy frameworks and social safeguards to ensure that circular transitions protect livelihoods while addressing environmental pressures.
For African economies grappling with intensifying climate shocks, volatile supply chains and rising input costs, circular approaches were presented as offering tangible benefits. These include reduced dependence on imported materials, increased value addition within domestic and regional markets, and new investment opportunities in industries focused on durability, recycling and local production.
Kariuki underlined that keeping materials in use locally can reduce exposure to global supply shocks. He added that scaling up circularity requires coherent, economy-wide policy frameworks supported by predictable regulation, aligned incentives and standards that promote durability, safe design and resource efficiency.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, Kariuki held bilateral meetings to deepen partnerships. Discussions with Finland’s Minister of Climate and the Environment, Sari Multala, focused on initiatives supported by the Africa Circular Economy Facility, including the National Circular Economy Roadmap programme and the AfriCircular Programme. Finland, together with the Nordic Development Fund and the Coca-Cola Foundation, is a founding partner of the facility.
In a separate engagement with UN Development Programme Administrator Alexander De Croo, talks explored closer collaboration on renewable energy under Mission 300, technical assistance through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Hub and NDC Partnership, and joint work on the circular economy to deliver measurable development impact across the continent.
–AfDb/ChannelAfrica–
