Africa Driving Global Circular Economy Shift — Boroffice

Africa is emerging as a critical driver of the global transition to a circular economy, with innovations in waste management, climate action and inclusive entrepreneurship positioning the continent at the forefront of sustainable development, founder of waste management firm Chanja Datti, Olufunto Boroffice, has said.

Boroffice spoke during a TED-style presentation at the annual conference hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Kuo Sharper Centre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, held from April 22 to 23 under the theme, “Innovation in Global Growth Markets: Prosperity through Entrepreneurship.”

In a press release issued by Chanja Datti, Boroffice challenged conventional perceptions of waste, describing it as a resource capable of driving economic transformation across African cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Cairo and Johannesburg.

She said a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs across the continent is converting plastic, organic waste and other materials into valuable products, creating jobs while addressing environmental challenges.

Boroffice said the development reflects a broader shift toward a circular economy that prioritises reuse, repair and regeneration over the traditional “take, make, dispose” model.

She noted that Africa contributes less than four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions but remains among the regions most affected by climate change, citing droughts, flooding and rising sea levels across the continent.

“The climate crisis is not a future threat. It is a present emergency,” she said.

Boroffice added that nearly half of global emissions are linked to how goods are produced and consumed, arguing that circular systems present a major opportunity to reduce environmental impact.

She also highlighted the role of informal workers, including waste pickers and recyclers, whom she described as central to Africa’s circular economy.

According to her, such workers recover between 50 and 80 per cent of recyclable materials in some cities despite operating without formal support or recognition.

“Inclusion is not charity. Inclusion is strategy,” she said, while calling for policies that integrate and empower workers in the informal sector.

Boroffice further highlighted the contributions of women entrepreneurs and young people, noting that Africa’s youthful population presents a unique advantage in designing long-term sustainable solutions.

She pointed to emerging enterprises that transform waste into construction materials, fertilisers and renewable energy solutions.

Citing examples across the continent, Boroffice referenced Rwanda’s ban on single-use plastics, Kenya’s mobile money systems, Ethiopia’s tree-planting efforts and Morocco’s solar investments as evidence of Africa’s growing innovation capacity.

She urged governments, investors and entrepreneurs to embed circular principles into business models, formalise informal sector contributions and prioritise climate action.

Boroffice also called for increased global support for African-led solutions, insisting that the continent’s innovations are essential to addressing global environmental challenges.

Rejecting the notion of Africa as a passive recipient of development aid, she argued that the continent is actively shaping the future of sustainable systems.

“The world needs Africa’s solutions,” she said.