Turn agricultural residues into businesses and jobs in Africa.

EU-Africa Circular Bridge develops circular industrial zones that process leftover fruit, unsold harvests and other agricultural residues close to their source. Led by Africa In Motion, the initiative aims to create employment and support local enterprise while building production partnerships between Africa and Europe.

Products for three markets

Local businesses and diaspora entrepreneurs use shared infrastructure, vocational training and certification to turn residues into products and raw materials.

Local markets: compost, biochar, animal feed and packaging that can replace imports and support agriculture.

Regional markets: food products and semi-finished goods for neighbouring countries through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

European markets: plant extracts, pectin and fermentation feedstocks for chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

The pilot and expansion plans

In Arba Minch, Ethiopia, Africa In Motion and Odds & Ends are piloting the conversion of leftover fruit and unsold harvest into saleable products. RVO funds market validation from August 2026 to February 2027. Senegal is the preferred first country for the wider industrial-zone initiative; Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Kenya are also being explored.

A shared production partnership

Partner countries contribute land, infrastructure and alignment with their jobs and industrialisation strategies. European companies bring technology, investment, joint ventures and training. Local entrepreneurs, diaspora members and knowledge institutions help develop businesses, mentor entrepreneurs and support certification.

For Europe, these partnerships offer co-production in growing African markets and more diverse sources of bio-based industrial inputs. The initiative connects with Global Gateway, the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Critical Medicines Act.

Local opportunity and voluntary return

The zones are open to the whole local population. Returnees can participate through a voluntary pathway that starts with preparation in the Netherlands and continues with guidance on arrival, training, work or business development, and monitoring.

Safeguards include voluntary participation without prejudice to legal procedures, local co-ownership from the design stage, labour rights and decent work, European quality standards and certification, independent monitoring and a complaints mechanism.