To protect the environment and build a circular business movement in Africa and beyond that understands the importance of profitable circular economy, green innovation, and the conservation of natural resources.

Africa is the second-largest and second-most-populous continent on Earth, with a population of 1.3 billion people as of 2018. It accounts for about 16% of the human population on Earth and is the only continent with the highest percentage of young people. Africa’s fast-growing population and markets present unique opportunities for business in an environment of slowing global growth. At the same time, innovation and business investments are essential to meet Africa’s unfulfilled demand for goods and services, close the gaps in its infrastructure, create jobs, and provide economic wealth.

Unfortunately, the climate crisis poses a grave danger to the economic growth of Africa, its people and future generations. According to the United Nations Fact Sheet on Climate Change, Africa is the continent most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Already experiencing temperature increases of approximately 0.7°C over much of the continent, and with predictions that temperatures will rise further. Africa is facing a wide range of impacts, including increased drought and floods. Soon, climate change will contribute to a severe humanitarian crisis and decreases in food production, floods and inundation of its coastal zones and deltas, changes in natural ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.

To mitigate the climate crisis, and its effect in Africa and the world, climate resilience and adaptation through the principles of circular economy must be strategically deployed and implemented in the following sectors below.