Zambia, Finland Discuss Partnership on Circular Economy and Solid Waste Management

Finland has expressed interest in partnering with Zambia to develop resilient business innovations in the circular economy for municipal solid waste management.

This was revealed during bilateral talks held in Lusaka between Finland’s Ambassador to Zambia, Her Excellency Saana Halinen, a Finnish Circular Economy Business Delegation, and Zambia’s Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gary Nkombo, MP.

The Finnish delegation, led by Deputy Mayor of Tampere, Mr. Ilkka Porttikivi, toured the Chunga Dumpsite, Lusaka’s only government-gazetted solid waste disposal site, accompanied by Permanent Secretary (Administration), Mr. Maambo Haamaundu. The visit was aimed at understanding Zambia’s current waste management systems.

Ambassador Halinen emphasized Finland’s readiness to share expertise, highlighting Finland’s status as the first country to adopt a National Circular Economy roadmap in 2016, now in its second iteration. 

She noted Finland’s innovative approaches, such as turning waste into energy and producing construction materials like affordable building blocks.

“Finland is eager to explore opportunities for collaboration with Zambia to advance waste-to-energy initiatives and support income-generating activities within communities using waste,” she stated. Companies like Pirkanmaan Jätehuolto, known for recycling and refining plastic waste into finished products, were cited as key players in potential partnerships.

Permanent Secretary Haamaundu reiterated Zambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing solid waste management through capacity building and infrastructure development. 

He emphasized the importance of adopting a circular economy model focused on waste minimization, reuse, and recycling.

Both nations expressed optimism about future partnerships that promote sustainability, resource efficiency, and economic growth.