LocationsUNDP joins African Circular Economy Alliance as strategic partner
June 4, 2025
Addis Ababa and Abidjan, 4 June 2025 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has joined the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) as a strategic partner, reinforcing its commitment to support inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent.
ACEA, hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), is a government-led coalition of 15 African countries and serves as the continent’s leading platform for circular economy policy and advocacy. The Alliance is supported by the AfDB’s Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF), the only trust fund dedicated to translating circular economy opportunities into tangible results through grants and technical assistance.
This partnership comes at a time when African countries are working to build resilient, low-carbon economies in response to rising pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss. Circular economy strategies provide practical responses to these challenges while contributing to a just and inclusive transition.
“ACEA welcomes UNDP as a strategic partner of the Alliance. This partnership reinforces the growing continental momentum to turn circular economy strategies into tangible outcomes, driving green growth. Together, we can scale solutions and unlock the finance and innovation needed for impact,” said Dr Anthony Nyong, Director of the Climate Change and Green Growth Department at AfDB.
“Africa’s circular transition presents a lever to fast-track green growth. By joining forces, we can align policy, finance and innovation to turn circular ambitions into systemic change across the continent,” he added.
This partnership reinforces the growing continental momentum to turn circular economy strategies into tangible outcomes, driving green growth.Dr Anthony Nyong, Director of the Climate Change and Green Growth Department at AfDB.
With a presence in 46 sub-Saharan countries, UNDP brings expertise in policy engagement, development programming, technology transfer and stakeholder coordination. It supports governments to integrate circular economy priorities into national development plans, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and to meet obligations under the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm Conventions, as well as other multilateral environmental agreements.
ACEA and UNDP are also working together to strengthen capacities and promote South–South exchange through engagement in regional and global platforms. These include the Regional NDC 3.0 Forum held in Kigali in 2024, the World Circular Economy Forum in Africa in 2022 and the upcoming forum in Brazil in 2025. These forums provide policymakers and practitioners with opportunities to share lessons, challenges and practical solutions at the intersection of circular economy and climate action.
“UNDP is proud to join the Alliance as a strategic partner and collaborate to scale circular economy solutions that benefit people, the planet and shared prosperity,” said Matthias Naab, Director of the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, who signed the ACEA Charter on behalf of the organization.
“UNDP has long championed circular economy principles through our flagship offers, such as: (i) Climate Promise, (ii) Nature Pledge, (iii) Integrated programme for sustainable supply chain and zero waste initiatives against pollution, and (iv) Inclusive Green Growth. Becoming part of ACEA provides a timely and strategic platform to strengthen partnerships, drive innovation, and scale up impact across the region,” he added
UNDP is proud to join the Alliance as a strategic partner and collaborate to scale circular economy solutions that benefit people, the planet and shared prosperityMatthias Naab, Director of UNDP RSCA