# Africans Reuse Waste for Circular Economy

> African communities already repair, recycle and resell waste, scaling circular economy basics needs policy support.
- Title: Africans Reuse Waste for Circular Economy · Allafrica
- Summary: African communities already repair, recycle and resell waste, scaling circular economy basics needs policy support. African countries can expand existing…
- Keywords: africa, circular economy, waste recycling, repair practices, policy support, e-waste recycling, plastic bans, agricultural waste, energy recycling, water sanitation, news, world
- Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610220007.html
- Published: 2026-10-22T04:47:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: africa, circular economy, waste recycling, repair practices, policy support, e-waste recycling, plastic bans, agricultural waste, energy recycling, water sanitation, news, world
## African cities reuse waste
In many African cities, broken fridges are repaired or resold, not thrown away immediately.
## Old clothes transformed
Leftover crop stalks and leaves become animal feed, compost, cooking fuel or biogas.
## Circular economy basics
Circular economy keeps products in use longer than traditional linear systems that discard after use.
## 34 countries ban plastic bags
Thirty-four African countries have banned plastic bags to some degree.
## Rwanda and others recycle e-waste
Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco have set up e-waste recycling facilities.
## Kenya's product rules
Kenya has rules making manufacturers responsible for collecting and recycling products after use.
## Somalia and Sudan still linear
Somalia, Sudan and Congo still depend on systems where products are made, used and discarded.
## Circular economy is already working
Repairers, reclaimers and farmers across Africa already repair, reuse, resell and convert waste into resources.
## Policy support needed
Policymakers need finance, infrastructure, skills and supportive policies to scale existing circular practices.
## Waste collection challenges
Waste collection remains inadequate in many African cities with few recycling facilities.
## African Union plan
The African Union's Continental Circular Economy Action Plan offers ideas for improving waste collection and sorting.
## Support informal workers
Informal workers need training, safer conditions, facilities and fair compensation to thrive in circular economies.
## Key takeaway

African countries can expand existing repair and recycling practices with finance and policies to build circular economies.