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The side event on Accelerating a just transition to a Circular Economy in Africa was held on 28 February 2022 during the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) 5.2. The session was jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

SWITCH Africa Green has been supporting eco-entrepreneurs, policy makers, businesses and non-state actors in making the switch to sustainable consumption and production practices. Through strong partnerships, capacity development, mentorship and access to markets, MSMEs and communities are benefiting from green growth, decent jobs creation and improved livelihoods. 

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture with the financial assistance from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) is reviewing and updating the existing curriculum for the Hotel Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT) to reflect the modern and global   sustainable trends taking place in the tourism and hospitality industry.

UN Environment Programme in partnership with UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), hosted a virtual event at the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development to discuss a common approach to building back better through a greener pathway towards COVID-19 recovery.

This report presents an analysis of the implementation and results of the SWITCH Africa Green programme in the manufacturing sector focusing on the participating countries Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda. It covers the strategic interventions, results realised, cross cutting thematic issues notably energy, water, eco-innovation, labels and standards, sustainable trade and markets, challenges, lessons learnt and presents a set of recommendations.

This report presents an analysis of the implementation and results of the SWITCH Africa Green programme in the integrated waste management (IWM) sector focusing on the participating countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda. It covers the strategic interventions in the waste sector notably municipal solid waste management, e-waste management, waste to energy (e.g. biogas production and briquette production), as well as industrial symbiosis (IS). 

This report presents an analysis of the implementation and results of the SWITCH Africa Green programme in the tourism sector focusing on the participating countries Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda. It covers the strategic interventions on sustainable tourism such as sustainable consumption and production patterns in hotels, promoting community based tourism (CBT) practices and promoting inclusive business and eco entrepreneurship in the tourism industry (ecotourism).

This report presents an analysis of the implementation and results of the SWITCH Africa Green programme in the agriculture sector focusing on the participating countries Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda.

Ms Perrine Marie Samuella is a beautician from Latanier, Rodrigues. She is, however, not your usual kind of beautician. The owner of a mobile beauty and health salon, Marie uses products that are natural for her work and to make money and make her clients happy. This work involves beauty care and hair dressing using bio products, slimming and relaxation, Ayurvedic and Swedish massage.

Faso Attie`ke` is a women’s association of more than 400 members from Ouagadougou specializing in producing cassava flour (Attie`ke`). The association is increasing women’s income by diversifying products and using improved technology. It obtains cassava paste as a raw material within Burkina Faso, from members’ farms and other farms as well. It also sources cassava from neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire.

Wend Waoga is a women group from the district of Koudougou in Burkina Faso. Established in 1997, the association is one of the beneficiaries of the SWITCH Africa Green programme through Groupe de Recherche et d’Analyse Appliquées pour le Développement (GRAAD) under the project NEERE which in the local language means clean or pretty.

Complexe Scolaire Baraka is a technical college located in Bobo-Dioulasso in the South-West of Burkina Faso. The institution had 410 students in 2017 in various courses including masonry, electricity, metal works, hair dressing, and tailoring. About 26% of the students are women and only 2% of the students taking electricity as a major are female.

The college was started in 2005 and in 2017 employed a total of 14 people; four of those being women.

Champion Shoes Limited, a leading shoe manufacturing firm situated in Thika town is perhaps one of the oldest establishments in leather footwear manufacturing in the area, having existed for over 15 years. It is run by entrepreneur Mr. James Mwaura.

Ober Child Mothers Association is a youth farmer group that was established in 2012 in Barr Sub County of Lira District in northern Uganda. It trains young mothers in sustainable food production, helping them achieve financial and food security. The group has 30 women under the age of 35.

Africa is thriving. Across lively deserts and coasts, in bustling cities and rural towns, Africans are forging a new path for development. The SWITCH Africa Green programme is developed and funded by the European Union and implemented by United Nations Environment Programme and European Union Delegations in the participating countries.

Koforidua is a town situated in southeastern part of Ghana. It lies in the Densu River basin, near the southeastern base of the Kwahu Plateau. Here we find Issah Moro busy in his old scrap metal yard. Issah is the Chairperson of Koforidua Scrap Dealers Association.

“This is our old site,” Issah says, pointing to a yard with scrap metal vying for every available space.

A weighing machine with its hook pointing menacingly downwards has taken a vintage position. Here, every single piece is capable of inflicting harm albeit in a different manner.

Can eco-tourism be a driver for inclusive economic growth in the fragile context of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo?