Advancing Circular Economy Capacity for Resource Efficiency

Adama, Ethiopia

From 2 to 4 December 2025, a diverse group of public, private, and civil society stakeholders convened in Adama City for a Capacity Building Training on Circular Economy for Resource Efficiency. The three-day training strengthened both national and local capacities to support Ethiopia’s transition towards a more circular, resource-efficient, and resilient economy.

The training was financed by the GIZ-implemented Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS) under the Partnership for Circular Value Chains in Addis Ababa and brought together decision-makers and practitioners who play critical roles in shaping policies, investments, and implementation on the ground.

Why Circular Economy Capacity Matters

Ethiopia’s rapid urbanization and industrial expansion are driving increased demand for raw materials, energy, and land, while at the same time leading to rising levels of waste and environmental pressure. Cities such as Adama face growing challenges related to inefficient resource use, limited recycling, and waste management systems under strain.

Against this backdrop, the training highlighted the urgent need to move away from the traditional linear economic model—take, make, dispose—towards a circular economy that prioritizes resource efficiency, waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Strengthening institutional and technical capacity is essential to translate national strategies and policies into effective local action.

Strengthening Practical Skills and Institutional Capacity

The training combined expert inputs with interactive discussions, enabling participants to build both conceptual understanding and practical skills. Key learning areas included:

• Core principles of the circular economy and international best practices
• Material Flow Analysis (MFA) as a tool to track resource use, identify inefficiencies, and uncover opportunities for industrial symbiosis
• Policy and regulatory frameworks, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the National Circular Economy Roadmap (NCER), and Ethiopia’s new solid waste management proclamations

Through group discussions and applied exercises, participants explored how these tools and frameworks can be used to improve planning, enforcement, investment decisions, and cross-sector collaboration at city and national levels.

Enabling Coordination Across Institutions and Sectors

The training brought together 20 participants, including representatives from federal, Addis Ababa, and Adama City Environmental Protection Authorities, the Addis Ababa Cleansing Management Agency, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry, the Ethiopian Investment Commission, and the Ethiopian Standards Agency. Private sector and civil society organizations, including EKT Trading PLC, CIFA, Reach for Change, and private consultants, also participated. Women represented 20% of participants.

This multi-stakeholder composition strengthened mutual understanding and coordination across institutions that are jointly responsible for advancing circular economy implementation—from policy development and regulation to investment promotion and business practice.

From Theory to Practice: Circular Economy in Action

A highlight of the training was a field visit to the Kuriftu Paper Mill in Adama, where participants observed circular economy principles applied in an industrial setting. The visit demonstrated how recycling and resource efficiency can be integrated into viable business models, offering concrete inspiration for scaling similar approaches in other sectors and cities.

Laying the Groundwork for Sustainable Impact

The training was officially opened by H.E. Mr. Negus Lemma, Deputy Director General of the Federal Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), and concluded with reflections and a certificate handover ceremony led by Dr. Lemlem Tajebe, Environmental Management Lead Executive at the EPA.

By equipping key stakeholders with practical tools, policy knowledge and shared understanding, the training contributes to stronger institutional capacity and more coordinated action on circular economy and resource efficiency. These capacities are essential for reducing environmental pressures, supporting green economic growth, and advancing Ethiopia’s broader sustainable development goals.