Finland fuels circular economy dreams

Finnish and Namibian universities have collaborated on a capacity-building project to develop circular economy models aimed at sustainable production, job creation, and enhanced waste management.

Finnish deputy head of mission Sakarias Rantala says his country is assisting Namibia in coming up with circular economy models.

This comes as two Finnish Universities – the University of Tampere and the Tampere University of Applied Sciences – recently collaborated with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) on the project.

A circular economy is an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products, especially as a means of continuing production in a sustainable or environmentally friendly way.

Rantala says the project is aimed at strengthening circular economy expertise and mindset among local stakeholders – with a particular emphasis on bio-based and recycling-based materials.

“Its objectives included creating a roadmap for circular economy expertise, supporting skills development, developing an ecosystems of local actors, and supporting a feasibility study on bio-fuels for Finnish company Meriaura,” he says.

Rantala says with the support from the Finnish embassy in Namibia, the three universities organised a series of circular economy workshops.

Rantala says circular economy solutions have significant potential to increase domestic processing rates and to create jobs.

The Finnish embassy collaborated with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board in 2023 and 2025, respectively, to host the World Circular Economy Forum.

Rantala says Finnish companies Molok and Block Solutions have also collaborated with Namibian company Rent-A-Drum some years ago, during which Molok supplied waste containers to Rent-A-Drum, while Block Solutions piloted the construction of houses using recycled materials.

“Enhanced waste management capabilities and expertise will help preserve value chains and reduce logistical costs in Namibia,” he says.

To nationally drive the circular economy, Finland has established the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra – an independent public future-oriented organisation with a mission “to build the successful Finland for tomorrow” under the supervision of the Finnish parliament.

Mika Sulkinoja, a leading specialist at Sitra, says “although there are differences in the way different countries operate, the roadmap contains some easily adaptable elements”.

Thus far, the roadmap has attracted a lot of international interests and Sitra has created a guide to help others draw up their own roadmaps.

For example, the African Circular Economy Alliance is using the Finnish model, while promoting the circular economy is also being actively discussed in Southeast Asia.

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