The role of regulation and policies in the push for a circular economy: The case of East Africa Community

In East Africa, countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan face a shared challenge: their economy’s traditional “use and discard” model. This approach—where goods are produced, used, and discarded—generates immense waste, strains natural resources, and contributes to rising pollution levels. 

For these nations, moving toward a circular economy, which values the entire lifecycle of products through reuse, recycling, and waste reduction, presents an opportunity for more sustainable growth. However, regional collaboration and consistent regulatory frameworks are key to making this shift. 

Embracing regulation to foster circularity 

A well-crafted regulatory framework can accelerate the transition to a circular economy by encouraging businesses and communities to change their thinking about waste. In East Africa, governments are beginning to take steps that promote sustainable practices. Still, each country’s journey is at a different stage, and the lack of alignment complicates progress toward a shared vision. Regional policy alignment has become essential for East Africa to succeed in making circularity a core part of its economy. 

Kenya leads in tackling plastic waste 

In 2017, Kenya made global headlines with one of the world’s strictest bans on single-use plastic bags. The impact was immediate, with usage dropping by 80% within months. The ban tackled plastic pollution head-on and showed East Africa that bold regulatory moves can inspire real change. In 2020, Kenya went further, banning single-use plastics in its national parks, beaches, and forests, protecting some of its most treasured landscapes from plastic waste. 

“Kenya’s proactive approach to plastic waste regulation has set a precedent for other East African countries,” explains Paul Omondi, an environmental policy expert in Nairobi. “The success of the plastic bag ban demonstrates that effective regulation, combined with enforcement, can drive behavioral change and support the transition to a circular economy.” Kenya’s measures highlight how focused, enforceable policies can empower communities and businesses to make environmentally friendly choices. 

Rwanda’s push for sustainable practices 

Rwanda, another environmental pioneer, started with a plastic bag ban back in 2008, one of the first of its kind in the world. This step marked the beginning of Rwanda’s shift toward sustainability, setting the stage for future policy milestones. In 2020, the government introduced the Circular Economy Action Plan, a comprehensive program to foster sustainable practices across industries, from agriculture to waste management. 

“Our vision is to create a sustainable economy where waste is transformed into resources,” shares Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, Rwanda’s former Minister of Environment. “Regulation plays a critical role in this, as it sets the standards and incentivizes businesses and individuals to embrace circular practices.” 

Rwanda’s approach exemplifies how environmental policy can create opportunities, such as green jobs in recycling and upcycling while reducing waste. Ecoplastics, a Kigali-based company, is one such example of collecting and recycling plastic to create reusable products, which adds value to the economy and helps reduce waste. 

Uganda and Tanzania: Overcoming gaps in policy and enforcement 

While Kenya and Rwanda have made significant progress, Uganda and Tanzania still face challenges in developing and enforcing environmental regulations. Uganda’s 2019 National Environment Act includes provisions for waste management, but its implementation has been slow, especially in urban areas like Kampala, where plastic waste accumulates due to limited recycling infrastructure. 

Environmental lawyer Charles Ssenyonjo, based in Kampala, explains, “Regulation is the backbone of a circular economy. Without clear policies and enforcement, driving change at the scale needed to make a real impact becomes difficult.” 

The situation in Tanzania is similar. Although the Environmental Management Act of 2004 provides a regulatory framework for waste management, EPR is still voluntary. Nicholas Jackson, Country Coordinator of PET Pro Tanzania, emphasizes the challenge: “In Tanzania, we’re still operating with voluntary EPR measures, which limits their effectiveness. Producers are reluctant to join recycling initiatives without the certainty of regulatory support.” The contrasting regional policies underline the importance of a cohesive approach to environmental sustainability. 

The need for regional harmonization 

Harmonizing waste management and circular economy policies is critical for the East African Community to make a collective impact. Recognizing this, the EAC Secretariat introduced the Regional Waste Management Strategy in 2021, which aims to streamline waste management policies and encourage recycling across member states. However, this strategy’s success hinges on each country’s commitment to implement it effectively. 

Additionally, the EAC is considering the East African Single-Use Plastics Bill, which would create a uniform approach to addressing plastic waste across the region. As Frank J. Dafa, a Technical Expert at the East African Business Council, explains, “More alignment at the regional level will allow for seamless trade rather than barriers that stem from inconsistent regulations.” If adopted, such legislation could help create a more predictable regulatory environment that attracts investment in green technologies and recycling infrastructure. 

The importance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) 

A key pillar of circularity is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a framework that obligates producers to manage the entire lifecycle of their products, from production to disposal. Kenya has led the way with its National Sustainable Waste Management Act, which mandates EPR and encourages companies to design products that are easier to recycle. The law emphasizes the “polluter pays” principle, which holds producers accountable for the waste they generate. 

“Harmonizing EPR across East Africa directly supports producers in changing their mindset, designing packages that can be easily recycled, closing regulatory gaps, and fostering innovation,” notes Nicholas from PET Pro Tanzania. By adopting a regional EPR framework, the EAC could simplify compliance, encourage more companies to adopt sustainable practices and retain valuable recyclable materials within the region instead of exporting them. 

Challenges and opportunities in east Africa’s circular transition 

While there is potential for a thriving circular economy in East Africa, the region faces challenges, including limited public awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and the cost of adopting circular practices. These costs can be prohibitive for businesses, especially in countries like Uganda and Tanzania, where regulatory requirements are unclear. 

Miriam Chepchumba Bomett, Deputy Head of Policy Research and Advocacy at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, highlights the importance of policy consistency: “The more laws you have, the more regulations you introduce, the more businesses retract their investment because they are unable to plan.” 

Despite these hurdles, a harmonized regulatory framework would present East Africa with new economic opportunities, including job creation in the recycling and waste management sectors. Regional circularity practices could also attract international investment as businesses look to expand into regions with sustainable growth initiatives. As a step forward, harmonized policies would help reduce compliance costs and ease trade across borders. 

The role of private sector partnerships 

The private sector is a key driver of circularity initiatives. Organizations like the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and PET Pro Tanzania actively promote policy alignment across the EAC. Through collaborations with international entities like the Confederation of Danish Industry, KAM has helped share best practices that inform circular policies for the EAC.  

According to Miriam, “Policy consistency across the EAC is crucial to achieving sustainable business practices.” Such partnerships offer valuable insights, facilitating knowledge exchange that strengthens local capacities for adopting circular practices. 

Moving toward binding regulations 

Though the EAC has explored voluntary agreements, experts agree that binding regulations are necessary for the circular economy to become a reality. Faith Macharia, Senior Associate and Partner at ALN Kenya, emphasizes, “It’s a mandatory requirement under our EAC treaty to have unified policies for pollution prevention and environmental protection.” Binding regulations would eliminate trade barriers caused by differing national policies, create stability, and boost investment in recycling infrastructure and green technologies. 

Public awareness of environmental issues is rising, and East Africans are increasingly advocating for more robust pollution controls. “Most EAC residents are aware of their rights, and we’re seeing lobby groups pushing for harmonized sustainability policies across East Africa,” adds Faith. The growing momentum for environmental action underscores the need for regional policies that reflect both global standards and local needs. 

A vision for a circular East Africa 

A unified regulatory framework across East Africa will be critical to advancing the region’s circular economy. Consistent EPR regulations and waste management policies would simplify compliance, lower operational costs, and create a more predictable business environment. A regional circular economy would contribute to environmental protection and position East Africa as a leader in sustainable development. 

With harmonized policies, East Africa’s circular economy efforts will help preserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and improve the quality of life for its citizens. Collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society will be key to making this vision a reality, creating a sustainable, resilient future that benefits both the environment and the economy. 

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