This country update outlines the existing policy framework put in place by the Rwandan government to promote a more circular economy. It also highlights the key challenges and opportunities to adopting more circular processes in the public and private sector, and recommends ways to support more circular and sustainable trade in Rwanda.
The concept of a green, circular economy (CE) is gaining traction across governments and policymakers worldwide. As it becomes apparent that the current linear “take, make, dispose” economic model has a depletive effect on the world’s resources and is en route to reaching its physical limits, countries could turn towards the CE as a viable alternative that aims to use resources to their highest value and reuse waste to a maximum.
Rwanda is one country that is at the forefront in the area of CE in Africa. For the past decade, it has put environment and climate change at heart of its policies and programmes. Most notably, it was one of the first countries to ban single-use plastic bags. As well as having the largest Green Fund in Africa, Rwanda also played a pioneering role in co-founding the African CE Alliance, which aims to support high-impact circular-economy projects across the African continent.
This country update note serves to outline the existing policy framework put in place by the Rwandan government to promote a more CE; highlight the key challenges and opportunities to adopting more circular processes in the public and private sector; and provide recommendations and ways forward to support more circular and sustainable trade in Rwanda.