Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) - African Development Bank

Enriched UN / Multilateral · Found: 2026-03-11 12:26

Dedicated trust fund mainstreaming circular economy in Africa. In 2024 initiated National CE Roadmap projects in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda. Provides catalytic finance and supports MSMEs through AfriCircular Innovators program.

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

Funding Details

Funder

African Development Bank (AfDB) - Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF)

Funding Goal

Mainstream circular economy as an inclusive and green growth strategy across Africa. Funds projects across three pillars: (1) enabling environment for circularity (national circular economy roadmaps), (2) circular business development (supporting MSMEs and innovators through AfriCircular Innovators Programme), and (3) advocacy and knowledge sharing. Includes technical assistance and catalytic grants for circular economy initiatives.

Funding Amount

Grants and technical assistance; specific amounts vary by project type. The AfriCircular Innovators Programme provides incentivized support to circular business innovators.

Deadline

Rolling basis — ACEF is an ongoing trust fund established in 2022, aligned with AfDB 10-year strategy (2024–2033) (Rolling)

How to Apply

Contact ACEF Task Manager: Davinah Milenge (D.MILENGE-UWELLA@AFDB.ORG), Department of Climate Change & Green Growth, African Development Bank. No public open call form visible on the main page; projects appear to be proposed through AfDB processes.

Target Region

Africa (all sub-regions; 2024 roadmap projects in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda)

Contact

Davinah Milenge, ACEF Task Manager — D.MILENGE-UWELLA@AFDB.ORG, Department of Climate Change & Green Growth, African Development Bank

Official Page

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

Last Checked

2026-05-07 03:01

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Must be an African entity (government, MSME, or circular innovator) for most programme windows
• For NCER projects: national government counterparts required
• For AfriCircular Innovators Programme: MSMEs and social enterprises focused on circular economy

Project Scope

• Project must focus on circular economy across at least one ACEF pillar (enabling environment, business development, advocacy)
• Geographic scope: Africa-wide, with recent focus on Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda

Required Documents

• Contact ACEF Task Manager at AfDB to explore funding opportunities

Constraints

• No fixed public call deadline — projects typically proposed through AfDB engagement processes

Summary

The Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) is the only trust fund dedicated to mainstreaming circular economy as an inclusive and green growth strategy across Africa. It was established in 2022 by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with the support of the Government of Finland, the Nordic Development Fund, and (from late 2024) the Coca-Cola Foundation. ACEF is aligned with AfDB's ten-year strategy (2024–2033) and is hosted within the Climate Change and Green Growth Department. ACEF operates through three pillars: (1) Enabling environment for circularity — supporting the development of National Circular Economy Roadmaps (NCERs) at country level, with 2024 projects in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, and Uganda; (2) Circular business development — funding MSMEs and innovators through the AfriCircular Innovators Programme, run in collaboration with the African Circular Economy Alliance; and (3) Advocacy and knowledge sharing — publications, events, and coalition-building across the continent. The Facility provides grants and technical assistance to projects that reduce waste, extend resource lifespans, and foster local circular innovation. Eligible activities include policy roadmap development, MSME support, innovation competitions, and capacity building for circular economy actors across all African regions. Beneficiaries include African governments (for policy development), MSMEs and social enterprises, and circular economy innovators. The programme does not specify a fixed funding ceiling per project; amounts vary by activity type. There is no fixed annual deadline — ACEF operates on a rolling basis, with projects developed through AfDB processes. Thematic priorities include waste reduction, circular supply chains, sustainable natural resource use, and green inclusive growth. Sectors include recycling, agriculture, packaging, and construction materials. The broader rationale is that circular economy approaches allow African economies to reconcile growth with planetary boundaries.

Historical Context

ACEF established by AfDB in 2022 with Finland, Nordic Development Fund support; Coca-Cola Foundation joined in late 2024. In 2024, initiated National Circular Economy Roadmap (NCER) projects in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, and Uganda. AfriCircular Innovators Programme launched to support circular economy MSMEs.

Why it was added

AfDB's dedicated circular economy fund for Africa, supports waste management and recycling MSMEs

Sources

• https://afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-and-partnerships/africa-circular-economy-facility-acef
• https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-and-partnerships/africa-circular-economy-facility-acef
• https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/africircular-innovators-programme

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