Ethiopian Circular Economy Hotspot 2025 

The Ethiopian Circular Economy Hotspot 2025 was successfully held on October 1, 2025, serving as a high-impact national platform to advance the circular economy agenda in Ethiopia. The overall aim of the Ethiopian Circular Economy Hotspot was to strengthen awareness, stimulate innovation, and accelerate the adoption of circular economy practices across key sectors of the Ethiopian economy, while positioning Ethiopia as a leader in circular transition in the region.  The event was designed to strengthen stakeholder engagement, promote circular entrepreneurship, and catalyse practical partnerships between government, development partners, and the private sector.  

Africa Circular led the planning and organisation of this pivotal event and received official recognition for co-organising from the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Commissioner. To ensure the success of this event, the planning process adopted the following key strategies:  

• Strategic collaboration with Ethiopia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mobilise national participation 

• Coordinated multi-stakeholder engagement process involving government institutions, development partners, SMEs, and international organisations 

• Targeted inclusion of circular entrepreneurs, innovators, and youth-led enterprises 

Key Milestones and Outcomes Achieved included: 

• High-Level Participation and Policy Engagement: More than 260 participants attended, including the EPA Commissioner, four State Ministers, multiple directors, the EU Delegation Director – Mathias Reusing, and representatives from nearly all UN agencies. 

• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Catalysed: The Circular Economy Hackathon Challenge attracted 43 applications, leading to the selection of three original circular business ideas, which were awarded seed funding by Reach for Change. 

• SME Enterprise Recognition and Market Exposure: Out of 51 SME applications, 25 circular enterprises were screened and showcased. Three outstanding enterprises were selected as the Best Circular Economy Enterprises of the Year and awarded cash prizes by Reach for Change. 

• Media Visibility and Advocacy: The Hotspot’s outcomes were aired on the news by 20 public and private media outlets, significantly amplifying national awareness of the circular economy. 

• Strategic Partnerships and Future Commitments: Strong interest was expressed by the Finnish Embassy and SITRA to support Ethiopian circular economy institutions and businesses. Additionally, the ILO, UNDP, and HCH signaled their intention to develop future projects in partnership with Africa Circular. 

Africa Circular’s key contributions to this event included: 

• Serving as the interface between government institutions and international partners to coordinate planning, funding, and implementation. 

• Working closely with Ethiopia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mobilise key national stakeholders. 

• Organising a circular economy business hackathon to support innovation and enterprise growth. 

• Creating a platform for circular SMEs to showcase products, access markets, and gain visibility. 

• Organising learning trips to circular economy initiatives and business sites to strengthen practical knowledge exchange.