Lusaka, Zambia – The European Union has launched a new wave of support for green and circular economy initiatives in southern Africa, with a focus on empowering small and medium enterprises in Eswatini, Zambia, and the region. The initiative, part of the GreenTech4CE project under the EU’s Global Gateway programme, is implemented in partnership with Self Help Africa, Prospero Limited, and Imani.
Through matching grants, the project has allocated €3.4 million to 10 circular economy enterprises, €843,000 to six business development service providers, and €400,000 to two financial service partners. The programme provides technical and financial support to start-ups, MSMEs, and financial institutions, aiming to foster sustainable industrial practices and innovative solutions.
GreenTech4CE aligns with the region’s green growth strategies and seeks to address economic vulnerabilities while promoting inclusive, environmentally sustainable growth. The project targets 800 MSMEs at different stages of development, linking them to value chains for critical raw materials and improving market access for green, circular, and digital products. It also encourages participation from women and youth entrepreneurs and supports the establishment of two “FabLabs” to test new products.
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