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The shift from the current (linear) economic model (extract, make, use, throw away) to an increasingly regenerative (circular) one is an opportunity to achieve both economic and social well-being and environmental safeguarding. Especially the private sector is keen to learn more about possible value creation and seeks assistance in piloting and demonstrating new materials, new designs, and new business models in their respective value chains. EU Africa RISE is supporting Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA) with technical assistance to build knowledge and improve practice on circularity in the construction sector in the country.
Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA) in partnership with the European Union’s Africa RISE (Reform for Investment and Sustainable Economies) hosted a kick-off meeting in the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare, to the Circular Economy initiative which will help the construction sector to explore more resilient and greener business practices.
Hosted by the ZBCA, over 50 members of the Association and the ZBCA Executive Board, participated in the meeting, keen to understand more about this initiative, and what it entails, and set the path for the upcoming circular economy workshops. Participants, which included the ZBCA President-Mr P Kagwere, the Senior Vice-President Mr. T Manzungu, Junior Vice President- Mr. G Chipumha, Northern Region Chairperson- Mr. T Marongwe, Women’s Desk Chairperson- Ms. G Sigauke, Young Contractors Chairperson- Mr. T Chihota and Chief Executive Officer-Ex Officio Mr C Tsvarai, shared their views about the importance of this initiative.
“The Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association is excited to be hosting this event in partnership with the EU-funded project Africa RISE….The ZBCA remains committed to helping Zimbabwe attain its transition to the circular economy more successfully…..” said ZBCA CEO Mr. Crispen Tsvarai.
The project was initiated in 2022 when Namibian Construction Industries Federation (CIF) approached the Africa RISE Facility to enquire how such a learning experience on the circular economy could be supported by the Facility. Similar interest was expressed by Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association and Business Botswana (BB) – Construction Sector & Built Environment. The SWITCH to Green Facility joined forces and will support, together with SADC Secretariat and the Business Council, with the dissemination and broadening of the learning generated by the project beyond.
The objective of this project is to increase knowledge in the construction sector on ‘circular economy’ opportunities and models that could be implemented by the private sector. The initial focus and learning generation will come from Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe with sharing and wider dissemination planned across SADC member countries through the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Business Council.
“Zimbabwe needs to take practical steps to build a circular economy in line with the African Union Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the commitments to reduce carbon emissions expressed in the Paris climate change agreement »…. Said Mr. Peter Makwanya, Local Stakeholder Engagement Expert for Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s business sector is keen to chart a path towards an inclusive and circular economy to promote waste reduction and as a co-benefit to decrease the country’s carbon footprint. A transition to a green economy is an opportunity to promote social inclusion, poverty eradication, and sustained economic and employment growth, while simultaneously maintaining a healthy environment.
In Zimbabwe, there has been an emergence of economic activities centred around repairing, refurbishing, and recycling end-of-life products as well as expanding access to renewable energy, helping to put the country firmly on the road to an expanded circular system. The country, just like many others in Africa, is showing high interest in creating national circular economy road maps.
Zimbabwe now requires collaboration and a range of enabling systems and structures such as policies, business support, financial incentives, new technologies, and infrastructure to promote a circular economy that aims to eliminate waste and advocate for the continual use of resources and recycling.
By adopting appropriate technologies, implementing resource efficiency, and embracing circular economic models, the country’s construction sector would be able to create economic and social value in the country whilst impacting positively the environment.
Partners
The European Union’s Africa RISE program is a demand driven regional technical assistance facility to promote business development and improve investment climate in the EASAIO region. This project is one of several initiatives where the Facility supports partner countries to move towards a circular economy. You can read more about Africa RISE work on our social media platforms: Facebook, Linkedin and twitter.
Watch our facility’s video presentation
About ZBCA
Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA) is a non-profit making National Organization formed in 1985 with a mandate to represent Emergent Building Contractors in the categories of Building Construction and Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Structural Steel Engineering fields. The Association registers Suppliers and Service Providers as Associate Members. The purpose of the Association is to ensure that its members uphold the observance of the highest standards of workmanship in the construction business.