No One Can Build a Circular Economy Alone: How Collaboration Can Drive Financial and Environmental Gains for Entrepreneurs 

In Northern Ghana, a remarkable change is happening with something that was once left to simply waste away – it’s now becoming a source of new profits. Often left to rot on fields and farms, agricultural waste traditionally contributed to rampant bushfires that destroyed both crops and livelihoods, as well as releasing climate-warming greenhouse gases when it decomposed. 

Today, however, innovative entrepreneurs are redefining this waste not as a burden or something to be discarded, but as a resource that can be turned into new products  

One of these businesses is Tamworld Company Ltd., which is proving that “waste” is just an untapped resource waiting for vision and investment. By converting up to 10 tons of agricultural byproducts into biomass briquettes and additional revenue every month, this small business is cutting emissions, reducing destructive fires, and generating new income streams—all at once. 

A partner of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), Tamworld’s circular economy (CE) model is a powerful example of how reducing waste, reusing materials, and regenerating natural systems can create economic and environmental impact. By collaborating with 20 smallholder farmers and waste collectors to source raw materials, employing 30 workers in production, and engaging 15 staff in sales and distribution, Tamworld has built a successful business that supports over 65 people.   

Yet, Tamworld’s success is not an isolated effort – the business also collaborates with a wider network of investors, waste management experts, and technology providers to enhance its production efficiency and expand market reach. This collaborative approach underscores a fundamental truth: the circular economy thrives on connection. Only when every part of the value chain comes together can stronger solutions and more inclusive markets be created that drive positive outcomes. No single entrepreneur, practitioner, or funder can drive this shift alone—it requires a systemic shift and collaboration across market systems. 

Implementing circular economy practices at the entrepreneur level

Entrepreneurs are at the forefront of the circular economy, turning waste into valuable products that can create new revenue streams and tackle environmental challenges. In the agriculture sector, businesses like Tamworld are transforming byproducts that were previously wasted into high-value products like briquettes for clean cooking, animal feed, and organic fertilizers. However, the shift to circularity is not without challenges. 

Circular businesses are businesses. Entrepreneurs in many markets cannot sacrifice profitability for the sake of environmental impact, making it essential to demonstrate the business case for circular economy models. Whether through cost savings, higher revenue, or other business benefits, these enterprises need a strong case for adopting CE models.  

Bridging CE system gaps

In addition, as businesses, many of the challenges faced in implementing CE models are those that are common to all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and proven approaches for business acceleration are an important tool in helping circular businesses grow. This is where collaboration is critical in order for entrepreneurs to access the technology and infrastructure they need to transform products—both through financing and technical guidance. Supportive ecosystems are also needed, with partnerships between agricultural producers, SMEs, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), investors, and policymakers assisting in overcoming CE adoption barriers. 

NGOs play a crucial role in bridging market-wide gaps that hinder the adoption of CE models. TechnoServe for example, has found in its circular economy work across several countries that there are often market-wide challenges such as nascent market demand, fragmented supply chains, a workforce that has not been trained in circular skills, and a lack of financial products suited to circular businesses. To address these challenges, a systems approach must be taken that requires both collaboration and innovation. 

As highlighted in TechnoServe’s Inclusive Loops study, the shift to circularity isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about unlocking new markets, cutting costs, and creating a competitive edge for businesses willing to innovate. The right investments and partnerships can turn today’s barriers into tomorrow’s economic drivers. 

Funding long-term, systemic change in circularity

Addressing systemic gaps also requires the right funding mechanisms. Philanthropy has a critical role to play in accelerating the CE transition–but it must go beyond traditional funding models. As Anglo American Foundation notes, philanthropy should not just fund circularity but should be an integral part of the system change that makes it possible.  

This shift requires a commitment to long-term, flexible funding that recognizes both time and adaptation are needed to transition to circular models. Innovators, entrepreneurs, and communities must have the time needed to develop, test, and scale solutions. Equally important is investment in inclusive, locally-led solutions. Circularity is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and those closest to the challenges are best positioned to design practical, scalable solutions.  

Ultimately, shifting industries and behaviours requires bold moves. Philanthropy must be willing to fund projects that challenge the status quo, supporting new business models, technology, and systems thinking. Beyond financial support, philanthropic actors can open doors, connect players, and encourage knowledge sharing for a more inclusive CE transition.  

The future of CE collaboration

The circular economy is the future of business. But it won’t build itself. It takes funders willing to take bold bets, policymakers ready to clear the way, and entrepreneurs with the vision to reimagine entire industries. 

At the ANDE Pan Africa Conference 2025, several key recommendations were put forward to accelerate CE adoption in agriculture. First, training programs for SMEs must be expanded to enhance their capacity in waste transformation and value addition. Second, transparency and competition in the CE sector should be promoted by ensuring a competitive market for waste aggregation and fair business practices among CE-focused SMEs. And finally, targeted incentives should be introduced to encourage SMEs to adopt and scale circular economy models within their operations. 

Agricultural waste has great potential to create new opportunities for entrepreneurs to diversify their revenue streams and build greater resilience—when all parts of the value chain come together. A thriving circular economy requires all hands on deck. By investing in connection, collaboration, and innovation, we can create a future where waste is a resource, businesses prosper, and communities benefit.