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Open Access Research Article

Circular Economy Adoption in West African Manufacturing SMEs

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/jsd.2026.002
Grace Mensah
Emeka Chukwu

Published in Journal of Sustainable Development · July 12, 2026

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Abstract

A survey-based study examining barriers and enablers of circular economy practices among small and medium manufacturing enterprises.

Keywords

Circular Economy SMEs Manufacturing West Africa

Full Text

Circular economy principles remain underexplored among small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in West Africa, despite growing regional policy interest. This study surveyed 214 SMEs across Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal to identify the practical barriers preventing wider adoption.

Cost of retooling, limited access to recycled input markets, and weak regulatory enforcement emerged as the three most cited barriers. Firms that had adopted circular practices reported doing so primarily through informal supply-chain relationships rather than formal government incentive schemes, suggesting a gap between policy design and on-the-ground SME realities.

References

  1. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Towards the Circular Economy. 2013.
  2. African Development Bank. Circular Economy Action Plan for Africa, 2024.