Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) - African Development Bank

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Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-11 10:50

Grant financing facility supporting circular economy in Africa. Funds programs like AfriCircular Innovators Programme, national roadmaps, SMEs and innovators. Projects launched in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda in 2024.

Source: https://afdb.org/en/topics-and-partnerships/africa-circular-economy-facility-acef

Funding Details

Funder: African Development Bank (AfDB) — Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF)
Funding Goal: Accelerate the transition to a circular economy across Africa by providing grant financing for innovation programs, national circular economy roadmaps, SME support, and capacity building for African entrepreneurs and institutions.
Funding Amount: Grant financing; specific amounts not publicly disclosed on program page. AfriCircular Innovators Programme provides direct grants to SMEs and innovators.
How to Apply: Applications are typically submitted through specific calls under the AfriCircular Innovators Programme or country-level programs. Contact the AfDB's relevant department or monitor the AfDB website for open calls.
Target Region: Africa (active in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda in 2024)
Contact: African Development Bank Group — general contact: https://www.afdb.org/en/contacts
Last Checked: 2026-03-11 16:27

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Applicant must be an African-based entity or operating in an ACEF target country (Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda, or other AfDB member states)
International organizations must demonstrate a clear partnership with local African stakeholders or implementing partners

Project Scope

Project must focus on circular economy topics: waste reduction, resource efficiency, recycling, green innovation, or related fields
Projects targeting SMEs, local innovators, or national policy development are prioritized under ACEF's mandate

Required Documents

Prepare organizational documentation demonstrating African operations or partnerships, including project concept note and budget

Constraints

Monitor AfDB website and AfriCircular Innovators Programme for open calls and submission windows — no permanent open application portal indicated
Grants are facility-level; applicants should verify whether direct NGO grants or only government/SME funding is available under current open calls

Summary

The Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) is a grant-based financing mechanism managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to catalyze circular economy transitions across the African continent. It supports a range of interventions including the AfriCircular Innovators Programme — which provides direct support to African SMEs and innovators — as well as the development of national circular economy roadmaps in partnership with African governments and institutions. In 2024, ACEF launched projects in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, and Uganda. ACEF operates at multiple levels: systemic policy support (national roadmaps), market development (SME and innovator grants), and capacity building. The facility is backed by the AfDB and supported by international donors including the European Union and Nordic partners. It positions circular economy as both an environmental and economic development priority, targeting waste reduction, resource efficiency, and green job creation across the continent. Eligibility is primarily oriented toward African entities — governments, NGOs, SMEs, and innovators based in or operating in African member states. International organizations may be eligible as partners or implementing agents, but ACEF's primary beneficiaries are African-based stakeholders. The AfriCircular Innovators Programme is the most accessible entry point for non-governmental actors seeking direct grant support. The facility is active and ongoing, with no indication of closure. Given the AfDB's ten-year strategy (2024–2033) and the growing donor emphasis on circular economy in Africa, ACEF is expected to continue launching new calls and country-level programs in the coming years.

Historical Context

In 2024, ACEF launched projects in five African countries: Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, and Uganda. The AfriCircular Innovators Programme is an active sub-program. ACEF aligns with the AfDB Ten-Year Strategy 2024–2033.

Why it was added

Africa waste/plastic development funding

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