Africa has a booming rate of urbanisation: cities are growing in tandem with spiking populations—but so are informal settlements, often lacking electricity, water and solid waste collection. In most of the countries studied—Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia—more than half the population live in such settlements. Most of these countries are faced with substantial housing backlogs, and there is a pressing need for large-scale construction. In addition, as people flock to cities for better job opportunities, urban areas have grown rapidly in informal and often disorganised manners. Although governments, companies and the communities themselves are working towards solving these issues, the magnitude of the problem paired with lacking resources hinders the quick implementation of solutions. 

Circular economy approaches can therefore be considered as a viable alternative to conventional strategies, as they are more cost-effective, environmentally sustainable and boost job creation. The report details common dwellings across the given countries, and finds that there are substantial opportunities to slash volumes of construction waste and boost recycling by applying circular strategies to design, regulation, standards and legislation, guided by local contexts. The report also notes the importance of avoiding early obsolescence, often a result of mass production and eventual dumping of poor-quality, unrepairable products. 

The report highlights how the proposed solutions can be implemented on-the-ground. A high proportion of demolition waste in Tanzania, for example, is readily able to be upcycled for reuse, and industrial waste like fly-ash has been found to have substantial potential in South Africa. Kenya is launching initiatives to reuse waste plastic into construction materials, while waste picker enterprises in Mali lead to high collection rates which in turn feeds livestock and enhances soil fertility. A number of traditional indigenous practices still occur, with great benefit to the land and the people—but these practices should be continuously strengthened through increased regulations and improved construction standards.