Africa 21 was mandated by the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) with the support from the African Development Bank’s Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) to organize a workshop for African journalists on Circular Economy. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA),provides technical support to this workshop.
All the invited journalists were subsequently able to cover the two days of the ACEA annual assembly and were invited to participate in the field visit day focused on the theme of the circular economy.
This event took place from 13 to 16 October 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters in Addis Ababa and at the UNDP Africa Center, with the participation of numerous experts from across the African continent.
With the participation of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
The journalists selected for this event are:
- Ms.Tunicia Phillips (South Africa), ElDos FM and Mail & Guardian
- Ms. Jenna Ramoo (Mauritius), Le Défi Media groupe
- Mr. Rivonala Razafison (Madagascar), Mongabay
- Mr. Samuel Abate (Ethiopia), Ethiopian Press Agency
- Mr. Roderick Lionel Lidigu (Kenya), Daily Nation
- Mr. Bosco Kwizera (Rwanda), Rwanda Broadcasting Agency
- Ms. Marwa Ben Abdennabi (Tunisia), Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
- Ms. Stella Mbuh (Cameroon), Equinoxe TV
- Ms. Esther Omopariola (Nigeria), TVC
- Mr. Ndiol Maka Seck (Senegal), Le Soleil
- Ms. Aissatou Fofana (Ivory Coast), L’Ecologiste and Radio Côte d’Ivoire
Background
Africa’s push towards a circular economy is no longer an abstract ambition. Governments across the continent are incorporating circularity into national policies, entrepreneurs are scaling innovative solutions, and the African Union has adopted a Continental Circular Economy Action Plan (2024 – 2034). Despite this progress, public awareness and media coverage remain limited. Reporting on circular opportunities often appears fragmented or highly technical, leaving citizens, investors and decision‑makers unaware of the benefits. To sustain momentum, Africa needs compelling stories that translate policy and technical advances into language people can relate to.
This media immersion initiative aims to build a network of journalists who can accurately and persuasively report on the continent’s circular economy transition. Rather than focusing solely on a single institution’s programmes, the emphasis is on improving the visibility of circular initiatives across Africa and showcasing how circularity creates jobs, strengthens competitiveness and bolsters climate resilience. By investing in training, exposure and mentorship, the programme will:
- Strengthen public understanding by equipping journalists with framing tools and exposure to technical debates so that they can craft human‑centred stories that resonate with policymakers, investors and citizens.
- Build a lasting community of practice by cultivating a network of 10 journalists for this first cohort from diverse linguistic and geographic backgrounds who will continue to cover circular economy issues long after the event.
- Amplify Africa’s voice by ensuring that African perspectives and experiences shape global discussions on circularity, with journalists linking country‑level successes to continental priorities.
Workshop program
The program of the workshop on Monday, 13 October 2025, was as follows:
- 8:45-9:10 – Arrival and registration
- 9:10 – 9:40 – Opening statements ACEA and UNECA Moderator : ACEA
- Welcoming remarks
Charles Akol intervention
- Roundtable and introduction of each participant
- Welcoming remarks
- 9:40-10:00 – Overview of the ACEA Annual Meeting agenda, Bonmwa Fwangkwal, Program Manager, ACEA
- Agenda of the day
- Agenda of the Annual Meeting
presentation used : ACEA Annual Meetings_Media immersion slides
- 10:00-10:20 – Coffee Break
- 10:20-11:30 Global trends & Lessons, Sophie Moggs, Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation
- CE definition and principles
- Global trends and lessons on Circular Economy
- Africa’s CE is part of a worldwide shift; Africa can leapfrog and attract capital if the narrative is clear.
- Engagement with journalists, Africa 21
presentation used: Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Media immersion_
- 11:30-13:00 The Circular Economy opportunities for Africa, Charles Akol, Environmental Affairs Officer
- CE as part of Africa’s structural transformation and development strategy
- CE goes beyond environment. It’s also about trade, industrialization and Africa’s leadership
- Engagement with journalists, Africa 21
presentation used : 1 Final – ECA Presentation -Circular_Economy_Opportunities_for_Africa Fin
- 13:00-14:00 Lunch
- 14:00 – 15:00 Africa’s Agenda & Five Big Bets, Bonmwa Fwangkwal, Program Manager, ACEA
- Role of ACEA/ACEF in CE transition in Africa
- Grounds CE in AU CEAP and ACEA priorities; highlights investable sectors with political legitimacy.
- Africa owns its CE pathway; journalists can link national stories to continental priorities
- Engagement with journalists, Africa 21
Presentation used : ACEA Annual Meetings_Media immersion slides
- 15:00-15:20 Break / Coffee break
- 15:20-17:15 Framing Circular Stories & interactive session with journalists, Tunicia Phillips for Africa 21
- Translates technical content into compelling narratives; equips journalists with a practical toolkit.
- Journalists leave with story angles, data points, and ready-to-use materials for coverage.
Reference materials: Resources materials provided by the stakeholders organizations
All partners have agreed to provide the journalists with the following materials:
On behalf of the African Circular Economy Alliance :
- Circular Economy in Africa (background document)
- ACEA 5 Big Bets infographics
- ACEF ACEA general presentation / French version here.
On behalf of UNECA:
- The AU Continental Circular Economy Action Plan / French version here.
- The Guidelines for Accelerating the Circular Economy Transition in Africa.
On behalf of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation:
- What is the meaning of a circular economy and what are the main principles?
- Circular economy in Africa: examples and opportunities:
- Circular economy in Africa: Plastics / French version here.
- Circular economy in Africa: Automotives.
- Circular economy in Africa: Built environment / French version here.
- Circular economy in Africa: Electronics and e-waste.
- Circular economy in Africa: Fashion and textiles / French version here.
- Circular economy in Africa: Finance.
- Circular economy in Africa: Food and agriculture / French version here.
- Circular economy in Africa: Policy.
Over the past two years, Africa 21 has also organized a series of activities related to the circular economy and is providing additional materials here:
- Workshop for journalists on the circular economy in Nairobi from November 6 to 10, 2023.
- Works of the Nairobi circular economy competition 2023.
- Atelier de Tunis sur l’économie circulaire (2-5 décembre 2024).
- Atelier de validation du Plan d’action de l’économie circulaire et du Mécanisme de financement innovant de l’économie bleue et circulaire des états insulaires d’Afrique et de l’Océan indien.
- Workshop for African journalists from the Indian Ocean coast on the blue and circular economy, 10-14 March 2025, Zanzibar.
Program of the ACEA Annual Meetings and Field Visits Dedicated to the Circular Economy
Day 1
Welcome Remarks
Key remarks
Setting the Scene for the 2025 Annual Meeting – ACEA Secretariat
Introduction of Circular SME exhibition
Session 1: Presentations – State of Play: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges in Africa’s Circular Economy Landscape (evolution of the 5 Big Bets)
Session 2: Presentation & Panel Discussion – Pathways for regional integration for the CE in Africa: Aligning national, regional, and continental initiatives for coherence along the AUC CEAP
Session 3: Pitches by Thematic PartnersThematic Showcases: CE opportunities within sectors, challenges, and value for regional integration
Session 4: Thematic Deepdives – Group Discussions with country members on scale-up opportunities and role of national and regional frameworks)
TRACK A: Plastics & Packaging: Circularium
TRACK B: Built Environment: UNEP/UNOPs
TRACK C: Electronics: ITU
TRACK D: Textiles & Fashion: UNEP
Day 2
Session 5: Fireside chat : Perspectives on the future of CE financing in Africa
Session 6: Panel discussion – Realizing CE results in-country – Harmonization & Policy Alignment, Investment & Financing, Technology & Innovation
Launch of the Plastics EPR case study: Government of Seychelles and UNDP
Day 3 Field visits
A few extraordinary examples of small and medium-sized enterprises that are champions of the circular economy in Addis Ababa.
He collects waste from butcheries in Addis and transforms it into car parts, creating added value and providing direct and indirect employment for more than 250 people.
He collects used paper from Addis and transforms it into decorative art or everyday items, providing employment for a large community of women.
Hefli battery and Ewaste recycling
They collect old household appliances, computers, and televisions, and transform them into valuable raw materials that are reintegrated into local industrial processes.
