The founder of MitiMeth – Achenyo  Idachaba  has stressed that circular businesses in Nigeria need support from ecosystem research and development, government, entrepreneurs, finance for them to scale. She made this remark while reflecting on key insights from the recently concluded mission to the Netherlands, a second phase of the Netherlands-Nigeria Innovation Exchange project. 

The mission took place in July for four days and was targeted to link Nigerian Circular business owners cutting across different sectors with relevant Dutch partners and explore collaborative business  opportunities between both countries. The project led by the Circular Business Platform and the Netherlands Consulate in Lagos is focused at  identifying and developing new opportunities to support circular businesses in emerging sectors and regions in Nigeria. 

For Achenyo, the visit reinforced the urgency of building a stronger materials innovation ecosystem in Nigeria. “We can’t talk about the circular economy in Nigeria only as if it pertains to plastics pollution. We need to focus on developing alternative biobased materials. Visiting Blue City strengthened my desire to make this happen and to dig deeper into how FoodeX and Blue City have been able to establish, grow, and sustain,” she said.

Another delegate, Esther Chioma Ajah,  Special Assistant to Abia state Governor on Climate Change and Sustainability, stressed that the mission has brought to her attention the need to engage the state private sector on adoption of circular economy and sustainability in their production. Esther opined that she desires to link farmers in her community to opportunities in the Netherlands for cross learning and also setting up a renewable energy recycling facility in Aba, Abia State Nigeria.    

Similarly, Oluwafemi Idowu-Adegoke, Co-founder of EcoViridis Environmental Technology, noted that the exchange inspired him to refine his company’s business model, branding, and marketing to strengthen its market position.

The delegation also included Nina Nneka Malo-Afani, Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at Clean Tech Hub; Desmond Nnajiofor, Chief Executive Officer of Moniya Enterprises Limited; Engr. Dr. (Mrs.) Bahijjahtu Hadiza Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Federal Ministry of Environment; Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy; and Ifedolapo Runsewe, Managing Director of FREEE Recycle, among others.

During the visit, participants toured businesses and facilities including Ajax Football Stadium, Despray Environmental, Rotterzwam, Vet & Lazy Breweries, Meerlanden Waste Management Facility, Millivision, FoodeX, and Blue City.

Organizers and delegates alike expressed optimism that the connections made in the Netherlands will spark innovations and partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s circular economy in the years ahead.