Egypt’s One Circle Project Announces Next Phase to 2026
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Delegation of the European Union to Egypt, the Government of Finland, and Egypt’s Ministry of Industry, together with major technology partners including Orange Group, Nokia, and Cordon, celebrated the substantial progress of Egypt’s One Circle project and unveiled its roadmap to 2026 during a high-level event held in Cairo under the theme “One Circle – Milestones of Change.”
Launched in 2023 under the SWITCH2CE program, One Circle has demonstrated that the circular economy in the ICT sector is not merely a theoretical aspiration but a tangible, fully operational system capable of generating economic value, reducing environmental impact, and creating new jobs.
A Holistic Model for Circular ICT in Egypt
Through close collaboration between government institutions, private-sector partners, and international organizations, One Circle has transformed how electronic devices are repaired, refurbished, and recycled in Egypt.
A cornerstone of the project’s success lies in the establishment of two specialized repair and refurbishment centers:
A network equipment repair line, developed with Nokia and DSV
A smartphone refurbishment center, established in partnership with Upgrade, E-Tadweer, and Orange Egypt
These facilities represent a major shift in Egypt’s ICT operational infrastructure and have already produced measurable, large-scale results.
Key Achievements: Circular ICT in Action
• 300+ network modules repaired locally
Working with multiple operators, including Telecom Egypt and Orange Egypt, the centers have strengthened local capacity for network repair and maintenance.
• 1,300 refurbished smartphones sold with certified warranties
Distributed via Orange Egypt, these devices reflect rising consumer trust in circular alternatives that are both cost-effective and environmentally responsible.
• 10.22 tons of e-waste collected and processed through formal channels
More than 2,000 mobile phones have been formally collected, helping avoid 70,918 kg of CO₂ emissions by extending device life and reducing unmanaged waste.
• 60+ new green jobs created, alongside vocational training programs that build local skills in repair, refurbishment, and waste management.
• Partner network expanded from 15 to 44 organizations
This growth demonstrates widespread engagement across logistics, repair, retail, and regulatory sectors.
School outreach programs documented a 100% increase in students’ understanding of e-waste, reaching 3,000+ beneficiaries across communities, villages, and rural areas—an essential achievement in Africa’s largest generator of electronic waste.
Voices from Partners
Ms. Müge Dolun, Programme Manager, UNIDO, emphasized that
“One Circle is living proof that the circular economy is not just a slogan, but a practical system capable of creating economic value and advancing sustainability.”
Ambassador of Finland, Riika Eela, highlighted the importance of global cooperation, noting:
“Waste reduction is a planetary challenge. Cross-border collaboration is essential for a sustainable transition to a circular economy.”
Lorenzo Vingut Harrington, Head of Green and Sustainable Transformation at the EU Delegation to Egypt, added:
“SWITCH2CE focuses on advancing sustainable practices fully aligned with EU Circular Economy principles.”
Representing the Egyptian Ministry of Industry, Mr. Emad Abdel Hameed, Assistant to the Minister for Developmental Projects and Financial Affairs, reaffirmed that One Circle directly supports Egypt’s Industrial Strategy 2025–2030 and Vision 2030, including goals to:
Increase industry’s contribution to GDP to 20%+
Grow green industry to at least 5% of GDP
Expand industrial employment to 7 million jobs
Looking Ahead: One Circle’s 2026 Expansion
The One Circle project will enter a new phase in 2026, focused on:
Expanding repair and refurbishment capacities
Strengthening formal e-waste collection systems
Supporting regulatory frameworks for circular ICT
Launching new partnerships, including Raya Trade (Raya Holding) and The Greek Campus
With these developments, One Circle positions Egypt as a regional model for scalable circular ICT systems, paving the way for replication across additional sectors and countries.