Senegal circular: the strategy behind

Senegal has emphasised the importance of the transition to a green and circular economy, among others through the Plan Sénégal Emergent (PSE) (2014), including
its phase 2 Priority Action Plan 2019-2023 and its environmental component (Green PSE). Relevant priority actions include interventions in the energy mix to promote renewable energy (solar and wind), ecosystem protection (in particular, reforestation with the creation of the Senegalese Agency for Reforestation and the Great Green Wall) and a “Zero Waste Programme”, which focuses on solid waste collection and treatment in urban areas. The Zero Waste Programme explicitly moves towards a circular economy,

 and aims to reduce costs, reuse inputs, take harmful substances out of the environment, and create awareness on relevant issues. Along these policy processes, a pivotal step encouraging the country’s transition was the High-Level Conference on Circular Economy, Green Industry and Jobs (2019) organised by the European Commission, UNIDO and the Government of Senegal, that led to the adoption of the “Dakar Vision on Circular Economy, Green Industry and Jobs” and strengthened regional engagement on the circular economy.

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE COUNTRY CASE

Senegal’s recipe for a Circular Economy

The focus on waste management and the transition to a circular economy has been corroborated by the National Programme on Waste Management including the  Project for the Promotion of Integrated Management and Economy of Solid Waste in Senegal (PROMOGED) and a recent law on plastic waste (Loi No. 2020-04). The national programme consists of five components: legal and financial reforms; development of a waste economy; improvement of solid waste management systems; inclusive, participatory and responsible management of the sector; and effective governance of the sector. This programme promotes the recovery and recycling of waste, and encourages inclusive and participatory management of waste collection. The Law on Plastic Waste aims to prevent and reduce the
environmental and human health impact of single-use plastic waste. A decree on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) – under development since  2015 – has been recently promoted through a consultation and dialogue process intended to accelerate the process.

The National Strategy for the Promotion of Green Jobs in Senegal (SNPEV) 2015-2020 aims to formalise jobs in the circular economy, for example in recycling, and to transform these activities into decent jobs. Already in 2013, the National Strategy for Economic and Social Development (NSESD) 2013-2017 identifies priority actions related to the circular economy: restoration of degraded ecosystems, investment in waste infrastructure, promotion of sustainable consumption, cleaner production and sustainable tourism. Further strategies that support the transitioning to a green and circular economy in Senegal include: the National Strategic Orientation Document on the green economy, the National Action Plan for Energy
Efficiency 2015-2020/2030, Green Secondary Cities Development Program and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) adopted in December 2020. Senegal’s recipe for a Circular Economy.

How EU support accelerated the switch to a CE
  • Projects on waste recovery and waste management infrastructure
  • Projects on water and sanitation, renewable energy, integrated coastal zone management, agriculture and food security
  • Support via the EU co-funded Partnership on Green Economy in policy processes and event organisation and the establishment of a National platform on the Green Economy
  • Support to the high-level conference “Circular Economy, Green Industries and Jobs in West Africa”
  • Support to the private sector via Eurocham

Lesson Learnt from the transition process

Understanding the motivation

of key actors helps recognise the topics that drive the debate within relevant sectors and identify factors therein encouraging CE related actions among stakeholders.

Identifying a champion / key player

is instrumental in successfully integrating CE across all relevant sectors and securing a high level of participation in all key milestones. Getting the buy-in and leadership of the VicePresident’s Office, has been one of the largest successes of the EUD in Ecuador.

Creating a common and wide-spread understanding of CE

enables ownership over the topic among stakeholders, facilitates an informed dialogue, and enables actors to formulate coherent strategies.

-