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Circular economy: GIZ partners LASG for Circular Lagos Challenge

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Circular economy: GIZ partners LASG for Circular Lagos Challenge

The German Agency for International Corporations (GIZ) is collaborating with the Lagos State Government to advance circular economy activities of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.

The strategic collaboration was to offer innovative solutions to the various challenges facing Lagos State, according to the Executive Director of the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, Mr. Bankole Oloruntoba, at the Grand Final of the circular Lagos Challenge held in Lagos on Wednesday.

A circular economy is “a model of production and consumption that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, renovating, and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible,” he said.

According to Oloruntoba, about 1,000 applications were received in January from people who wanted to participate in the innovation challenge before they were narrowed down to 12 after two selection stages.

He further added that the fact that the innovation challenge takes place in Lagos contributed to the dynamism f the state, adding that any innovation that takes place will serve as a model for other states.

“The will and passion to demonstrate innovation led us on the journey that brought us here. The goal is to create a dynamically growing economy in Lagos.”

“We welcome you all and thank you for being here, working with us to find an alternative to solve the problems in Lagos,” he said.

Jennifer Seydel,  representative of GIZ Nigeria said the Circular Lagos Challenge seeks to grow the market for circular economy businesses in ways that benefit producers, consumers, and communities across Lagos.

She said circular businesses are also expected to reap the monetary benefits, stimulate local economic growth, and create meaningful job opportunities.

Ms. Toyin Odutola, Deputy Director representing the Lagos State Environment Commissioner, Mr. Tunji Bello, said that the state government would continue to support innovative ideas.

“The Lagos state government is interested in the circularity of the state. We want to make sure that all of our recyclable materials are recycled and waste is managed effectively.”

“We engage anyone with innovative ideas to share with the state government, which is always ready to make the environment more livable,” she said.

Circular Lagos is organized as a bottom-up initiative that focuses on experimenting with small-scale projects with a view to learning from practice.

It is also aimed at building institutional capabilities and developing an engaged and committed network of Circular Economy professionals in Lagos.

The challenge is guided by Circular market leaders that have urgent business needs and interest to support entrepreneurs from ideation to project implementation.

The sponsors include BASF Sweepsmart, Coca-Cola & Growing Businesses Foundation, Nigerian Breweries, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, and NGN.

For the challenge, circular businesses submitted innovative solutions that can fundamentally change the way people design, change and use the things they need. Their application is developed to a pilotable prototype of solutions.

The winners of the most promising innovation will transition to LOOP Lab and undergo an incubation program where they receive educational input and are introduced to circular economy tools such as entrepreneurship, finance and policy.

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