https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5760-672X
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ABSTRACT
The paper analyzes the current state of plastic value chains in Africa and the potential of digital innovations adopted by African entrepreneurs to contributing to a circular plastic economy. We provide an overview of plastic waste trade to African countries and an assessment of existing digital solutions that can support the transition to a circular plastic economy. The findings show that various digital innovations are being applied by entrepreneurs including web-based solutions, mobile apps and 3D printing. The case studies also show that multinational companies, especially consumer facing brands, are major players in the national plastic value chains in African countries, acting as seed funders for start-ups as well as buyers of recycled plastics. Current initiatives that are underway are positive signs that changes are in progress to address the environmental and social impacts of plastics value chains in Africa. However, to achieve a transition to sustainable circular value chains, changes at policy level will be required to enable scaling-up of local start-up businesses, address regulatory barriers to digital solutions, create markets for recycled plastic materials and implement extended producer responsibility regulations.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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Notes on contributors
Muyiwa Oyinlola
Dr. Muyiwa Oyinlola is an Associate Professor in Engineering for Sustainable Development. One area of his research focuses on utilizing Digital Innovations to promote and accelerate the transition to a Circular Plastic Economy in Africa.
Patrick Schröder
Dr. Patrick Schröder is a senior research fellow at Chatham House, Royal Institute of International Affairs. His research focuses on the issues of policy, finance, trade and technology innovation in the circular economy.
Timothy Whitehead
Dr. Timothy Whitehead is the Head of Design and Senior Lecturer in Product Design with a research interest in developing tools and approaches to improve the design of products distributed in low-income countries. Timothy has worked on a number of GCRF projects which utilize design methods and new technology to improve the livelihood of those living on less than US$1 a day.
Oluwaseun Kolade
Dr. Oluwaseun Kolade is a Reader in Strategic Management at De Montfort University, where he also leads the African Entrepreneurship Cluster. His research covers the broad areas of transformative entrepreneuring, digital transformation, and SMEs strategies in turbulent environments.
Kutoma Wakunuma
Dr. Kutoma Wakunuma is Associate Professor Research and Teaching in Information Systems at De Montfort University. Her research interests are in understanding the social and ethical implications of ICTs and the role that emerging technologies play in both the developed and developing world.
Soroosh Sharifi
Dr. Soroosh Sharifi is an Assistant Professor of Water Engineering at the University of Birmingham where he leads the Hydroinformatics research team. His research addresses a variety of topics related to modelling and optimizing sustainable environmental systems including net carbon water infrastructure, sustainable urban drainage systems and low-cost water and wastewater treatment technologies.
Barry Rawn
Dr. Barry Rawn studies the deployment of sustainable energy infrastructure in developing countries. As associate teaching professor at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, he teaches power and energy related courses while facilitating local industrial collaboration and international research activities. He obtained his PhD from University of Toronto, Canada, in 2010.
Victor Odumuyiwa
Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa is the acting Director of the NITDA ICT Hub, and a senior lecturer in the Department of Computer Sciences, University of Lagos. His research focus includes user information behavior, collaboration systems and knowledge management.
Selma Lendelvo
Dr. Selma Lendelvo is a Senior Researcher and Head of the Life Sciences Division of the Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia. Her research focuses on the sustainable management of the environment and natural resources.
Geoff Brighty
Dr. Geoff Brighty is a highly experienced and passionate environmentalist with a 30-year career in roles that span research, strategy, policy and operations in environmental regulation and management.
Bosun Tijani
Bosun Tijani is co-founder and CEO of Co-Creation Hub; a pan-African innovation enabler that work at the forefront of accelerating the application of innovation and social capital for a better society.
Tomi Jaiyeola
Tomi Jaiyeola is an international development professional with progressive project management experience directing education, technology, and economic initiatives across Eastern and Western Africa.
Lukonga Lindunda
Lukonga Lindunda is a Startup Ecosystem Builder, and Co-founder of BongoHive Group of Companies, in Zambia, which includes BongoHive Innovations, an award-winning innovation and technology hub changing the landscape of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
Radhia Mtonga
Radhia Mtonga is a Zambian social entrepreneur whose driving passions are social entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability and the circular economy. She is the founder of Ulubuto, a tech-based recycling initiative that is working to establish and promote a culture of recycling as well as sustainable and responsible resource usage.
Soroush Abolfathi
Dr. Soroush Abolfathi is Head of Environmental Sustainability Theme of Global Research Priorities at the University of Warwick. His research interests include pollution transport in the environment as well as resilient infrastructures to natural hazards, climate change and flooding.