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African Indigenous Female Entrepreneurs (IFÉs): A Closed-Looped Social Circular Economy Waste Management Model

Author

Listed:
  • Atinuke Chineme

    (School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Getachew Assefa

    (School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Irene M. Herremans

    (Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Barry Wylant

    (School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Marwa Shumo

    (Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

Uncontrolled waste disposal sites remain prevalent in low- and lower-middle-income countries, with organic waste constituting between 50 and 80% of the total openly dumped waste volumes. Waste-to-wealth initiatives focused on biowaste enterprises through female entrepreneurs can advance the eradication of open dumps while creating economic opportunities. This study, therefore, proposes an organizational model that leverages Indigenous female institutions, circular economy concepts, and a closed-loop biowaste management technique that mitigates the open-dump challenge. The Indigenous female entrepreneur (IFÉ) business model leverages circular economy and social circular economy models in the application of a low-tech insect-based biowaste conversion that valorizes municipal solid waste into products that can be reintegrated into the environment and community. The model will be utilized in a Tanzanian pilot study using co-production strategies to derive a sustainable biowaste enterprise. Co-production sees users as authorities in their own circumstances and treats them as primus inter pares with experts, thus facilitating the integration of the relational element of Indigenous societies and motivating cultural appreciation. Conversely, co-production will necessitate revisions to the model in every location where it is applied. The model was successfully test-run in a high-income country, but future research, including the pilot study, will validate the model and highlight innovations.

Suggested Citation

  • Atinuke Chineme & Getachew Assefa & Irene M. Herremans & Barry Wylant & Marwa Shumo, 2022. "African Indigenous Female Entrepreneurs (IFÉs): A Closed-Looped Social Circular Economy Waste Management Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11628-:d:916520
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jackson, Terence & Amaeshi, Kenneth & Yavuz, Serap, 2008. "Untangling African indigenous management: Multiple influences on the success of SMEs in Kenya," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 400-416, October.
    2. Emily Chamlee, 1993. "Indigenous African Institutions and Economic Development," Cato Journal, Cato Journal, Cato Institute, vol. 13(1), pages 79-99, Spring/Su.
    3. Eglantina Hysa & Alba Kruja & Naqeeb Ur Rehman & Rafael Laurenti, 2020. "Circular Economy Innovation and Environmental Sustainability Impact on Economic Growth: An Integrated Model for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Philip Antwi-Agyei & Andrew J. Dougill & Thomas P. Agyekum & Lindsay C. Stringer, 2018. "Alignment between nationally determined contributions and the sustainable development goals for West Africa," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(10), pages 1296-1312, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Md Tasbirul Islam & Usha Iyer-Raniga, 2023. "Circular Business Model Value Dimension Canvas: Tool Redesign for Innovation and Validation through an Australian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-47, July.
    2. Ilaha Abasli & Farhad Mukhtarov, 2025. "Old Habits Die Hard: How Narratives on Social Aspects of Circular Economy (Re)Produce Global Inequalities," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 1219-1244, April.

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