A circular economy roadmap for African and Indian Ocean developing island states

The concept of a circular economy has gained momentum in recent years and presents potential for African and Indian Ocean islands. Although some businesses and governments have adopted circular economy practices, these efforts are not yet widespread, and there is limited support to fully unlock the...

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Main Authors: Claire Montocchio, Antaya March, Rouane Brokensha, Mialy Andriamahefazafy, Christophe Schuman, Pierre Failler, He Yuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Circular Economy
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773167725000184
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author Claire Montocchio
Antaya March
Rouane Brokensha
Mialy Andriamahefazafy
Christophe Schuman
Pierre Failler
He Yuan
author_facet Claire Montocchio
Antaya March
Rouane Brokensha
Mialy Andriamahefazafy
Christophe Schuman
Pierre Failler
He Yuan
author_sort Claire Montocchio
collection DOAJ
description The concept of a circular economy has gained momentum in recent years and presents potential for African and Indian Ocean islands. Although some businesses and governments have adopted circular economy practices, these efforts are not yet widespread, and there is limited support to fully unlock the potential of circular economy in these countries. This paper proposes a roadmap for African and Indian Ocean islands state governments and businesses to promote circular economy development. The roadmap uses in-country stakeholder consultations and experiences to propose actions to fill legal gaps while fostering the integration and harmonisation of actions towards circular economy; to enhance circular economy literacy at all levels through education and awareness campaigns; to improve waste collection, sorting, recycling, and treatment; to improve monitoring capabilities and prevent harmful practices by introducing, supporting, and upscaling activities that promote better natural flow management and regeneration; and to support businesses structurally and financially to adopt or transition to circular business models. The roadmap's applicability in national contexts is discussed, considering the differences between countries and the small-scale nature of most African and Indian Ocean islands. The paper also suggests the possibility of extending the roadmap to other small island developing states (SIDSs) and emphasises the vital role of regional economic communities and the African Union in advancing the circular economy. Additionally, the circular economy roadmap is discussed in relation to the blue economy.
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spelling doaj-art-ebffe545c87842e188ac1681faec15952025-08-20T02:01:51ZengElsevierCircular Economy2773-16772025-06-014210014310.1016/j.cec.2025.100143A circular economy roadmap for African and Indian Ocean developing island statesClaire Montocchio0Antaya March1Rouane Brokensha2Mialy Andriamahefazafy3Christophe Schuman4Pierre Failler5He Yuan6Centre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UKCentre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UKCentre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UKCentre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UK; Geneva Science-Policy Interface, University of Geneva, Geneva 1204, SwitzerlandJoint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Ispra 21027, ItalyCentre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UK; Corresponding author.Centre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UKThe concept of a circular economy has gained momentum in recent years and presents potential for African and Indian Ocean islands. Although some businesses and governments have adopted circular economy practices, these efforts are not yet widespread, and there is limited support to fully unlock the potential of circular economy in these countries. This paper proposes a roadmap for African and Indian Ocean islands state governments and businesses to promote circular economy development. The roadmap uses in-country stakeholder consultations and experiences to propose actions to fill legal gaps while fostering the integration and harmonisation of actions towards circular economy; to enhance circular economy literacy at all levels through education and awareness campaigns; to improve waste collection, sorting, recycling, and treatment; to improve monitoring capabilities and prevent harmful practices by introducing, supporting, and upscaling activities that promote better natural flow management and regeneration; and to support businesses structurally and financially to adopt or transition to circular business models. The roadmap's applicability in national contexts is discussed, considering the differences between countries and the small-scale nature of most African and Indian Ocean islands. The paper also suggests the possibility of extending the roadmap to other small island developing states (SIDSs) and emphasises the vital role of regional economic communities and the African Union in advancing the circular economy. Additionally, the circular economy roadmap is discussed in relation to the blue economy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773167725000184African economyAfrican and Indian Ocean developing island states (AIODISs)Small island developing states (SIDSs)Circular business model
spellingShingle Claire Montocchio
Antaya March
Rouane Brokensha
Mialy Andriamahefazafy
Christophe Schuman
Pierre Failler
He Yuan
A circular economy roadmap for African and Indian Ocean developing island states
Circular Economy
African economy
African and Indian Ocean developing island states (AIODISs)
Small island developing states (SIDSs)
Circular business model
title A circular economy roadmap for African and Indian Ocean developing island states
title_full A circular economy roadmap for African and Indian Ocean developing island states
title_fullStr A circular economy roadmap for African and Indian Ocean developing island states
title_full_unstemmed A circular economy roadmap for African and Indian Ocean developing island states
title_short A circular economy roadmap for African and Indian Ocean developing island states
title_sort circular economy roadmap for african and indian ocean developing island states
topic African economy
African and Indian Ocean developing island states (AIODISs)
Small island developing states (SIDSs)
Circular business model
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773167725000184
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