Africa’s rapidly growing cities and economies are generating unprecedented volumes of waste—plastic, electronic, organic, and industrial. Traditional linear models of “take-make-dispose” are straining infrastructure, polluting environments, and threatening public health. AFREHO’s Circular Economy & Green Jobs program champions a different vision: one where waste becomes resource, where materials are kept in use, and where environmental protection goes hand-in-hand with economic opportunity.

The circular economy offers a pathway to decouple economic growth from resource consumption and environmental degradation. We work with communities, entrepreneurs, and local governments to develop circular solutions tailored to African contexts: plastic waste transformed into construction materials, organic waste converted to compost and energy, electronic waste safely recycled to recover valuable materials. These approaches not only reduce pollution and protect health but also create dignified livelihoods for waste workers, many of whom currently labor in hazardous, informal conditions.

Green jobs are at the heart of this transition. We support the development of a skilled workforce capable of driving the circular economy forward—from waste collectors and sorters to recycling technicians and circular design entrepreneurs. Through training, enterprise development, and policy advocacy, we help build an enabling environment where green businesses can thrive. We believe that Africa’s environmental challenges can become economic opportunities, creating jobs that are good for people and the planet.

Key Objectives

• Promote circular economy approaches that reduce waste and protect environmental health

• Support the formalization and improvement of working conditions in the waste sector

• Develop skills and create green jobs across the circular economy value chain

• Foster entrepreneurship and innovation in waste recovery and recycling

• Advocate for policies that incentivize circular approaches and discourage linear consumption

• Document and share circular economy models that work in African contexts

Program Components

Target Audience

• Informal and formal waste workers and their associations

• Aspiring and existing green entrepreneurs

• Municipal governments and waste management authorities

• Youth seeking employment in the green economy

• Industries looking to reduce waste and improve circularity

• Investors interested in circular economy opportunities

• Communities affected by waste pollution

Expected Outcomes

• 5,000+ green jobs created or improved within 5 years

• 200+ green enterprises supported through incubation and training

• Measurable reduction in waste-related pollution in target communities

• Improved working conditions for waste workers in partner programs

• Documented circular economy models ready for replication

• Policy influence at local and national levels supporting circular approaches

• Tons of waste diverted from landfills and the environment

Related SDGs