"Opportunities and barriers regarding the adoption of the circular economy by entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa -A case study of South-Africa-"

The object of this thesis is to identify opportunities and obstacles for entrepreneurs in the development of new business based on circular economy models in Sub-Saharan Africa. The thesis focuses more specifically on South Africa environment. Since the industrial revolution, our society has indulged in a linear “extract-use-discard” approach, which has had serious environmental and socio-economic consequences. The new model of circular economy refers to the sustainable production and consumption that aims to decouple economic growth from resource consumption. It is a model that could potentially address many of the environmental and socio-economic issues that the African continent is facing, and it could be the driver for economic growth. In conclusion, we see clear opportunities for starting new businesses based on circular economy principles in Sub-Saharan Africa but there are many challenges, specific to Africa, that need to be overcome