Circular Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation: Ghana’s Circular Economy Driving Force
Entrepreneurship in Ghana is evolving rapidly, and organizations are rethinking how business growth strategies can merge with sustainability. At the Annual Gathering of Hubs 2025 held on July 25th, 2025 at the Airport View Hotel in Accra, Baobab Entrepreneur had an exclusive interview with Ms. Abigail Amartey, a representative of the Circular Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation (CEIEF).
She shared insights into how CEIEF is leveraging the circular economy—a model that emphasizes reusing, recycling, and repurposing—to empower Ghanaian youth, create jobs, and tackle environmental challenges.
About Circular Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation (CEIEF)
The Circular Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation is a Ghana-based NGO dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship through circular economy practices. Their mission is clear:
- Leverage circular economy ideas to create jobs for the youth.
- Educate communities on repurposing waste.
- Train scrap dealers to improve safety and health while maximizing economic value.
- Develop sustainable solutions for plastic waste repurposing.
With these initiatives, CEIEF is building an ecosystem where business and sustainability meet.
Entrepreneurship in Ghana Through Circular Innovation
Ghana is a fertile ground for entrepreneurship, but many young people lack the support and resources to start or grow their businesses. CEIEF fills this gap by:
- Providing training and mentorship to help youth transform waste into marketable products.
- Encouraging creativity and innovation as pathways to business ownership.
- Connecting entrepreneurs with platforms to showcase their solutions.
This not only creates job opportunities but also addresses pressing issues like waste management and climate change.
How to Start a Business in Ghana – Lessons from CEIEF
Starting a business in Ghana can be challenging, but CEIEF offers a blueprint for success:
- Identify a problem (e.g., waste accumulation).
- Leverage innovation to create a sustainable solution.
- Educate and build capacity—training is key to long-term growth.
- Network through hubs and forums to find support and partnerships.
- Start small, scale with impact.
This approach shows that entrepreneurship is not just about profit—it’s about solving problems and transforming lives.
Business Growth Strategy in Africa – The Circular Model
Africa faces massive unemployment and waste challenges, but with circular economy models like CEIEF’s:
- Businesses can scale by addressing environmental challenges.
- Governments and NGOs can support sustainable job creation.
- Entrepreneurs can tap into global green finance and partnerships.
The circular model proves that Africa’s growth strategy should not copy Western models but should instead leverage local resources and innovative ideas.
You can also read on: https://baobabentrepreneur.com/agrico-hub-empowering-entrepreneurs-through-capacity-building-skill-training-and-funding-in-ghana/
You can also read on: https://baobabentrepreneur.com/wan-hive-ghana-building-women-led-innovation-under-the-leadership-of-janat-issifu/
Ghana Entrepreneurship Success Story – CEIEF’s Impact
From training scrap dealers to teaching communities how to repurpose plastics, CEIEF has made remarkable strides:
- 100+ hubs across Ghana.
- 12,000+ youth and women trained.
- 6,000+ startups and small businesses supported.
Their story is one of resilience, impact, and proof that entrepreneurship in Ghana can thrive when linked with sustainability.
Africa Business Opportunity – Sustainability Meets Profitability
Africa’s next wave of entrepreneurs will come from those who solve environmental challenges while creating wealth. CEIEF’s work shows that:
- The green economy is not just a necessity but also a business opportunity.
- Repurposing waste and innovating around sustainability can lead to global partnerships and investments.
- With the right mindset, Africa can lead the world in circular entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
The Circular Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation is more than an NGO—it’s a movement proving that youth entrepreneurship, sustainability, and business growth can go hand in hand. By teaching people how to turn waste into wealth, CEIEF is inspiring the next generation of Ghanaian and African entrepreneurs.
Follow them on:
- Facebook: Circular Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation
- Instagram: @CEIEF_gh
- LinkedIn: Circular Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation
