Nokia has announced that it is joining Orange in an initiative in Egypt under the UNIDO-run Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains initiative, co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Finland.
Egypt has set ambitious targets to improve waste management systems, including for e-waste, listed in Egypt Vision 2030. The initiative will encourage the adoption of circular economy practices in Egypt by engaging citizens and advocating behavioral change towards recycling and circularity. Through formalized e-waste collection and increased lifespan of products, this is expected to have positive impacts on the environment and therefore lead to carbon footprint reduction. Local technicians will be recruited and trained, vocational certification training programs will be introduced, and new practices that promote circular transitions in the electronics sector will be implemented, including where possible with the informal sector.
The new center is planned to provide repair and support services for Nokia’s 5G and legacy telecoms network equipment. Nokia’s support of the initiative underscores its broader investment in and commitment to circularity with longstanding practices in place including the Circular Products and Services team who take on the collecting, refurbishing, reusing, selling and recycling of telecom equipment during network upgrades or expansions.
Pierre Chaume, Vice-President North West Africa, Nokia
Increasing circular practices and reducing waste are critical to combating climate change. This requires continued innovation and collaboration. For 25 years, Nokia has had well-established circular practices that utilize the full value of Nokia’s products and is a key partner in the Orange-led Oscar program. It is therefore a proud moment for us to continue our close relationship with Orange and support the UNIDO-run Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains initiative as Egypt looks to realize its ambitious targets for circularity.
Jérôme Henique, Executive Vice President, CEO of Middle East and Africa (OMEA), Orange
We are pleased to collaborate with the United Nations and our partners, Nokia and Cordon Group, to help implementing circular economy in Egypt and Africa. The evolution of uses and the strong expansion of electronic equipment require a responsible reconditioning system that integrates local markets and includes local population. Orange is proud to be able to use its long-standing expertise to develop this virtuous economy and contribute to the social and economic development of the territories in which it operates.
Mark Draeck, SWITCH2CE Chief Technical Advisor, UNIDO
With the support of the European Union and the Government of Finland, UNIDO leads the global Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains (SWITCH2CE) project. In Egypt, we support the circular transition for the ICT and electronics sector, by piloting innovative circular solutions in close cooperation with the private sector. This pilot will address acute challenges on new technology, business models and traceability, and will demonstrate the economic opportunity for circular approaches. The project also collaborates with government partners, academia, and NGOs to create an enabling environment for circularity through policy and tailored capacity building.
