Rwanda has launched its first ever National Circular Economy Action Plan and Roadmap on the sidelines of the World Circular Economy Forum, which is taking place this week in Kigali.

Through value retention, reduction of waste and the creation of new economic opportunities, the Circular Economy Action Plan and Roadmap will contribute to Rwanda’s vision to be a carbon-neutral and climate resilient nation by 2050.

The National Circular Economy Action Plan and Roadmap provides concrete policy actions and a clear direction for the transition to a circular economy. The ultimate objective is to contribute to the country’s long-term ambition of having a clean and healthy environment resilient to climate change, and that supports a high quality of life for Rwandan society.

“Rwanda is an ideal destination for circular and green investments. Through the new National Circular Economy Action Plan and Roadmap, let’s take up that opportunity and build a circular economy that works for people and the planet so we can live in harmony with nature and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” said Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya

The National Circular Economy Action Plan and Roadmap includes 17 policy interventions and activities across priority sectors as well as cross-cutting themes that tackle capacity building and collaboration. Together, they represent the steps needed to embed the circular economy in Rwanda.

The concrete interventions in the Action Plan were selected based on their potentiality to contribute to national development and their transformative impact on women and young people.

The Action Plan analyses key economic sectors including waste, water, agriculture, textiles, ICT, transport and construction. The comprehensive assessment examines the economic and labour criteria, the policy landscape and visions, the involvement of women and youth, and the circular economy potential.

Through the Action Plan, Rwanda’s circular economy vision is:

• By 2035, Rwanda has placed the circular economy at the core of economic decision making and practice, ensuring the retention of resources, eliminating waste and pollution while regenerating natural systems.

The objectives of the Action Plan are as follows:

• Cross-cutting: Increase the awareness, capacity and collaboration across the public and private sector, academia and civil society for circular economy.
• Sustainable Waste: Ensure that waste is collected separately and sorted to achieve high-quality waste fractions that represent key prerequisites for a higher recovery rate across all waste streams.
• Sustainable Construction: Design, construct and use buildings aligned with circular principles, and valorise construction and demolition waste materials in ways that enable high-quality reuse, recycling and recovery.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Produce food based on regenerative and resource-efficient principles, integrate closed loops into farming operations and optimise transport and storage to reduce post-harvest losses.
• Integrated Water Resources Management: Secure long-term water supply and maintenance of natural water bodies through responsible water resource management, integrated planning and high-quality wastewater treatment.

The development of the Action Plan was made possible with support from the United Nations Development Programme in Rwanda.

Resources

• Download Rwanda’s Circular Economy Action Plan and Roadmap here.
• Download photos from the launch event here.
• Learn more about the World Circular Economy Forum here.

Media Enquiries

• Basile Uwimana, Communication and Outreach Specialist, Ministry of Environment, at buwimana@environment.gov.rw.
• Alice Nambaje, Communication Specialist, Ministry of Environment, at anambaje@environment.gov.rw.