Approximately 100 sustainability leaders, innovators, policymakers, development practitioners and other stakeholders from three African countries gathered in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, for the 10th African Sustainability & Circular Economy Summit (ASCES) 2026, convened by the African Cleanup Initiative (ACI).
Held on 21–22 August 2026 at Hotel Mavilla, Cotonou, the two-day summit was themed “Building Resilient Communities through the SDGs and Circular Economy.” The event provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, explore emerging circular economy practices, showcase innovative green solutions and strengthen partnerships for sustainable and resilient communities across Africa.
The summit featured keynote sessions, a technical paper presentation, a high-level roundtable, the African Sustainability & Circular Economy Impact Awards, a Green Tour, historical site visits and networking sessions.
From Environmental Action to Sustainable Development
Reflecting on the growth of the summit and the sustainability movement it represents, Dr. Alexander Akhigbe, Founder and CEO of the African Cleanup Initiative, said the level of participation and collaboration at this year’s summit exceeded expectations.
“The energy and level of collaboration witnessed at the African Sustainability & Circular Economy Summit in Cotonou exceeded all expectations. Over the years, this platform has evolved from conversations around environmental cleanliness and waste management into a broader movement for sustainable development, circular economy, innovation, and resilient communities across Africa,” he expressed.
Dr. Akhigbe further noted that the engagement at the summit demonstrated a growing readiness among environmental organisations, governments, communities, businesses and individuals to work together towards a sustainable Africa.
His call for collective action was echoed by Mrs. Titilola Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, who emphasised during her keynote address:
“Not one person can do it all; it takes a community of us.”
Celebrating Environmental and Sustainability Champions
A major highlight of ASCES 2026 was the African Sustainability & Circular Economy Impact Awards, which recognised 16 organisations and sustainability leaders for their contributions to environmental protection, sustainable development and the advancement of circular economy practices across Africa.
Among those recognised were Prof. Okeke Gerald Ndubuisi, described as Africa’s first professor of climate change and environmental sustainability; Engr. Prof. Theophilus Aku Ugah, Vice Chancellor of Highstone Global University, Texas, USA; Engr. Onyinye Akubuilo-Okpalanma, Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Sustainable Development Goals; and De-TopNotch Services Limited; Ambassador Victory Chinnye Akingbade, Founder, Giftlight Empowerment Foundation; Mrs. Eunice Akhigbe, Co-founder, African Cleanup Initiative; Ashande Abdulsalam Abiodun, Founder/Executive Director, Green Janitor Sustainable Initiative; JDSL Recycling Limited; Rashidah AbdulQuadri, Climate Reality Leader & Chief Project Director, ATO-ClimatEducare; Dr. Alexander Akhigbe, Founder/CEO, African Cleanup Initiative (ACI); Zoomlion Nigeria Limited; Doyinsola Ogunye, Founder, Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC); Aware Recyclers Limited; Oluwatemitope Racheal Aayi, Founder, Thrive Together Charity Foundation; Triple Green Ace International Youth Foundation; and Olugbemi Peters, Associate Professor of Agronomy (Soil Fertility), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).
Special Recognition Awards were presented to Mrs. Titilola Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Lagos State Government, and Mrs. Habiba Abubakar, Country Managing Director of Zoomlion Limited.
The awards provided an opportunity to celebrate individuals and organisations whose work continues to contribute to environmental sustainability, innovation and community impact across the continent.
High-Level Dialogue on Africa’s Sustainability Future
The summit’s high-level roundtable brought together policymakers, industry leaders and sustainability practitioners to examine Africa’s sustainability challenges and opportunities.
Discussions centred on the need for stronger collaboration, strategic partnerships, innovation and collective action to address environmental challenges while unlocking opportunities within the continent’s emerging circular economy.
Participants emphasised that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires moving beyond conversations to practical, locally driven solutions supported by meaningful partnerships.
Learning from the Songhai Centre
The summit also offered participants an opportunity to experience sustainability practices beyond the conference room through a visit to the Songhai Centre in Porto-Novo.
The Green Tour provided practical insights into integrated sustainable agriculture, resource recovery, innovation and circular economy practices, giving participants an opportunity to explore how sustainability principles can be translated into practical community and enterprise solutions.
Participants also visited historical sites as part of the programme, providing an opportunity to connect sustainability conversations with the rich cultural heritage of the host country.
A Decade of Environmental Action and Collaboration
The African Sustainability & Circular Economy Summit (ASCES), formerly known as the African Cleanup Conference & Awards, is an annual platform convened by the African Cleanup Initiative to bring together leaders, innovators, policymakers, businesses, development partners and communities committed to advancing sustainability and circular economy solutions across Africa.
The 2026 edition marked a decade of environmental action, dialogue, collaboration, recognition and collective impact, with previous editions hosted in Nigeria, Ghana and Togo.
Over the years, the platform has continued to evolve alongside Africa’s changing environmental and sustainability landscape — expanding from a focus on environmental cleanliness and waste management to broader conversations around the Sustainable Development Goals, circular economy, climate action, innovation and resilient communities.
The Call for Greater Collaboration
ASCES 2026 reinforced a clear message: Africa has challenges, but it also has the people, resources, innovations and solutions needed to build a resilient future.
What Africa needs now is the willingness to connect these strengths through greater collaboration, investment, innovation and action.
As stakeholders return to their respective countries and communities, the challenge remains to translate the conversations, partnerships and ideas generated in Cotonou into tangible actions that create lasting environmental and social impact.
The journey towards a sustainable and resilient Africa continues — and everyone has a role to play.
About the African Cleanup Initiative
The African Cleanup Initiative (ACI) is an environmental sustainability organisation committed to raising environmentally sustainable citizens and advancing practical solutions to environmental challenges through advocacy, education, partnerships, community engagement, waste management, recycling and climate action.
