- The vibrant city of Nairobi took centre stage as global experts and stakeholders gathered to discuss the transformative potential of circular economy practices in Kenya and beyond.
- Lara Maritano, the coordinator of the ACEN Kenya Chapter, expressed her excitement about hosting such a significant global event in Nairobi.
Image: KURGAT MARINDANY.
In a landmark event, the Africa Circular Economy Network (ACEN), Kenya Chapter, hosted the prestigious World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2023 Kenya Studio on Thursday.
The vibrant city of Nairobi took centre stage as global experts and stakeholders gathered to discuss the transformative potential of circular economy practices in Kenya and beyond.
The ACEN Kenya Chapter Studio, held on Thursday evening, showcased Kenya's commitment to driving sustainable waste management and circular economy initiatives.
Lara Maritano, the coordinator of the ACEN Kenya Chapter, expressed her excitement about hosting such a significant global event in Nairobi.
Maritano emphasised that the event marked a milestone in Kenya's sustainable development journey and highlighted the country's dedication to implementing circular economy principles.
The discussions centred around the urgent need to address waste management challenges and transition from a linear economy model to a circular one.
Kenya, like many African countries, faces significant waste generation, with an estimated 22,000 tons of waste produced daily, amounting to 8 million tonnes annually.
The WCEF 2023 Kenya Studio provided a platform to explore innovative solutions and strategies for waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable resource utilisation.
Representatives from various sectors, including foreign embassies, the African Development Bank, the European Union Investment Bank, the Nairobi city council, the Finnish embassy, the EU delegation, Kenyan private sector alliances, and esteemed universities, actively participated in the discussions.
Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in promoting circular economy practices.
During the event, Eng Festus Ngeno, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, highlighted the pressing environmental and economic impacts of inefficient production processes, unsustainable consumption patterns, and the improper disposal of waste.
Ngeno stressed that embracing circularity is crucial to unlocking economic opportunities, job creation, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The discussions also emphasised the interconnectedness between waste management and climate change.
It was noted that Kenya's waste management practices contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, impacting global climate patterns.
The adoption of circular economy principles, including waste prevention, reuse, and recycling, was identified as an effective strategy to mitigate these emissions and achieve sustainable development goals.
Furthermore, the event shed light on the role of international frameworks and policies in supporting circular economy transitions.
Kenya's National Climate Change Action Plan 2018-2022 and updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) for 2020 were cited as vital tools in guiding the country's efforts to combat climate change through circular economy integration.
The ACEN Kenya Chapter Studio successfully fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants, with a focus on identifying barriers, generating data, and promoting awareness.
The event showcased Kenya's potential to lead the way in circular economy practices, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and waste management.
As the discussions concluded, experts acknowledged Africa's rich history of employing circular principles and emphasized the importance of embracing new business models and technologies to drive circularity across the continent.
The WCEF2023 Kenya Studio solidified Nairobi's growing reputation as a global hub for circular economy dialogues, positioning Kenya at the forefront of the transition towards a more sustainable and circular future.