• Senegal launches DICE Africa to support SMEs via digital innovation
• $718,000 project spans four countries, targets circular economy growth
• Initiative aims to improve waste management and boost SME competitiveness

Senegal officially launched the Digital Innovation for Circular Economy (DICE) Africa project on Monday, March 30. The regional initiative aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the circular economy through digital innovation.

The program is also being rolled out in Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. It seeks to address structural constraints in the sector and improve waste recovery through digital solutions.

Led by the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC) and supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the project has a budget of about 1 million Canadian dollars (around $718,200) for the four countries over 30 months. It combines research, capacity building and funding mobilisation to help develop a sustainable circular economy ecosystem.

According to DICE Africa coordinator Oluwatosin Ajide, identifying local solutions is a key component of the initiative. A hackathon will be organised to encourage innovation and develop digital tools tailored to the needs of circular economy businesses. These tools are expected to support the deployment of a national digital platform aimed at facilitating trade and improving SME competitiveness.

Waste management remains a major challenge across Africa. According to the African Clean Cities Platform, nearly 90% of waste produced on the continent is disposed of in open dumps or burned in the open. In Senegal, waste generation exceeds three million tonnes per year. Sub-Saharan Africa hosts 19 of the world’s 50 largest landfills and could become the largest waste-producing region globally.

Samira Njoya