The Government of Rwanda and the African Leadership University (ALU) launched a partnership on education, research, entrepreneurship and awareness creation for biodiversity conservation, green and circular economy solutions. 

With the growing population, Rwanda is under high pressure to find sustainable solutions to achieve green growth, sustainable development and tackle climate change and protect its biodiversity. In its Vision 2050 and the revised Green Growth Strategy, Rwanda aspires to develop as a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy by 2050. “No single entity can achieve a net zero future alone. Collaboration with all stakeholders is essential to achieve the vision. The collaboration of MoE and Higher learning Institutions is a way of upsurge the awareness in Rwanda and across the continent about the opportunities that a circular economy provides. It also provides a platform for partners to engage and build relationships that will contribute to and accelerate Rwanda’s green growth and circular economy agenda. Let’s take up that opportunity and build a circular economy that works for people and the planet so we can live in harmony with nature and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come". Said Dr Jeanne D’Arc Mujawamariya, Minister of Environment.

Richard Vigne, the director of the African Leadership University's School of Wildlife Conservation, shares his excitement for this partnership. “We are delighted to join hands with the Ministry of Environment in our journey to educate the young leaders of tomorrow on the importance of creating a sustainable future for the continent’s wildlife and natural resources. This partnership highlights the crucial role that universities play in education, entrepreneurship, research and development in building a sustainable future for countries across the African continent”, he said. 

Sustainable growth through a circular economy 

An important priority of the partnership will be to focus on the circular economy, which is a concept that aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency by keeping resources in use for as long as possible. 

During the World Circular Economy Forum in 2022, the Rwandan government launched its National Action Plan for the Circular Economy. The action plan envisages that by 2035 the economy of Rwanda will have placed the circular economy at the core of economic decision-making and practice, ensuring the retention of resources and eliminating waste and pollution while regenerating natural systems. 

African Leadership University's School of Wildlife Conservation is taking the lead in accelerating the circular economy transition in Africa. Currently, most of the research and knowledge on the circular economy is being developed in the Global North, implying that much of the knowledge generated is neither applicable nor suitable for African countries and communities.  The School aims to fill this gap by integrating the circular economy into teaching students and professionals from Rwanda and other African countries, building local knowledge through impact-driven research, and encouraging entrepreneurship. 

According to Richard Vigne “ALU is only the university across the continent that takes a holistic approach to the circular economy by educating students and professionals through courses, circular student ventures, capstone projects, and creating new knowledge about the circular economy through research”. 

The government of Rwanda has launched a 14-year circular economy action plan to manage waste and adopt clean production technologies that needs $211.2 million to be implemented. 

About ALU School of Wildlife Conservation

The ALU School of Wildlife Conservation is the conservation initiative of the African Leadership Group. It was established in 2016 to promote conservation as an African growth sector by developing the next generation of entrepreneurial conservation leaders at all levels through undergraduate, middle management, and executive programmes. In combining innovative research and leadership talent cultivation, SOWC encourages entrepreneurship within the wildlife economy and provides a platform for young entrepreneurs to incubate their innovative conservation business ideas.

At a macro level, SOWC seeks to influence the sector’s decision-makers to adopt sustainable business models and promote an entrepreneurial business-minded approach in African conservation. To find out more, visit sowc.alueducation.com or join the conservation conversation @aluconservation.