TY - JOUR
T1 - Digital innovations for transitioning to circular plastic value chains in Africa
AU - Oyinlola, Muyiwa
AU - Schröder, Patrick
AU - Whitehead, Timothy
AU - Kolade, Oluwaseun
AU - Wakunuma, Kutoma
AU - Sharifi, Soroosh
AU - Rawn, Barry
AU - Odumuyiwa, Victor
AU - Lendelvo, Selma
AU - Brighty , Geoff
AU - Tijani, Bosun
AU - Jaiyeola, Tomi
AU - Lindunda, Lukonga
AU - Mtonga, Radhia
AU - Abolfathi, Soroush
PY - 2021/12/26
Y1 - 2021/12/26
N2 - The paper analyzes the current state of plastic value chains in Africa and the potential of digital innovations adopted by African entrepreneurs to contributing to a circular plastic economy. We provide an overview of plastic waste trade to African countries and an assessment of existing digital solutions that can support the transition to a circular plastic economy. The findings show that various digital innovations are being applied by entrepreneurs including web-based solutions, mobile apps and 3D printing. The case studies also show that multinational companies, especially consumer facing brands, are major players in the national plastic value chains in African countries, acting as seed funders for start-ups as well as buyers of recycled plastics. Current initiatives that are underway are positive signs that changes are in progress to address the environmental and social impacts of plastics value chains in Africa. However, to achieve a transition to sustainable circular value chains, changes at policy level will be required to enable scaling-up of local start-up businesses, address regulatory barriers to digital solutions, create markets for recycled plastic materials and implement extended producer responsibility regulations.
AB - The paper analyzes the current state of plastic value chains in Africa and the potential of digital innovations adopted by African entrepreneurs to contributing to a circular plastic economy. We provide an overview of plastic waste trade to African countries and an assessment of existing digital solutions that can support the transition to a circular plastic economy. The findings show that various digital innovations are being applied by entrepreneurs including web-based solutions, mobile apps and 3D printing. The case studies also show that multinational companies, especially consumer facing brands, are major players in the national plastic value chains in African countries, acting as seed funders for start-ups as well as buyers of recycled plastics. Current initiatives that are underway are positive signs that changes are in progress to address the environmental and social impacts of plastics value chains in Africa. However, to achieve a transition to sustainable circular value chains, changes at policy level will be required to enable scaling-up of local start-up businesses, address regulatory barriers to digital solutions, create markets for recycled plastic materials and implement extended producer responsibility regulations.
KW - Business and International Management
KW - Management of Technology and Innovation
KW - Strategy and Management
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85121768138&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/23322373.2021.1999750
DO - 10.1080/23322373.2021.1999750
M3 - Article
SN - 2332-2373
JO - Africa Journal of Management
JF - Africa Journal of Management
ER -