Development of a Detailed and Costed Action Plan for Implementing Circular Economy in Rwanda

In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment of Rwanda and under the funding of UNDP, Trinomics and ACEN Foundation developed a National Circular Economy Action Plan for Rwanda. In addition to the actions enlisted, is an elaborate costing for each action. The objective of this plan is to pave a path towards creating a value-oriented circular system that relates to social, environmental and economic areas and that overcomes lock-ins and enables Rwanda to unleash its full potential. This plan is also expected to enhance and align Rwanda’s policy efforts and business initiatives.

Rwanda’s Action Plan was developed based on an analysis of the sectors deemed to be priority sectors; waste, water, agriculture, textiles, ICT, transport and construction. For each sector, the economic and labour criteria, the policy landscape and visions, the involvement of women and youth, and the circular economy potential were assessed.

Data collection and analysis were based on the review of macro-economic data, regulatory and legislative documents, and reports relevant to the circular economy and to the sectors considered. The secondary data was complemented with stakeholders and experts’ insights gathered during interviews and two workshops conducted for the purpose.

The Action Plan proposes 17 policy interventions and concrete activities split across the priority sectors as well as cross-cutting themes that tackle capacity building and collaboration. The plan provides a clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of key governmental institutions leading the implementation of the policy interventions. In order to track and assess the implementation and impact of this Action Plan and the progress of its policy interventions a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework was developed.

Read the report here.

The bigger picture

Developed with Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment and funded by UNDP, with Trinomics and the ACEN Foundation, the National Circular Economy Action Plan and Roadmap was launched in 2022 at the World Circular Economy Forum in Kigali. It sets out 17 policy interventions across priority sectors — waste, water, agriculture, textiles, ICT, transport and construction — plus cross-cutting themes of capacity building and collaboration, contributing to Rwanda’s vision of a carbon-neutral, climate-resilient nation by 2050.

References & further reading

• Rwanda Ministry of Environment — Rwanda launches National Circular Economy Action Plan and Roadmap.
• Green Economy Tracker — Rwanda country profile.
• UNIDO — National Circular Economy Roadmaps: A Global Stocktake for 2024.