# AfDB-backed circular-electronics programme launches across 16 countries

> The US$60 million GEM programme’s first phase includes nine African countries.

- Canonical URL: https://newsverum.com/en/news/afdb-backed-gem-circular-electronics-programme-launches-in-16-countries
- Publisher: Newsverum
- Section: Environment
- Published: 2026-10-21T00:43:59+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-21T00:43:59+00:00
- Event / data period: 2026-10-07
- Other editions: [Türkçe](https://newsverum.com/tr/news/afdb-backed-gem-circular-electronics-programme-launches-in-16-countries.md), [العربية](https://newsverum.com/ar/news/afdb-backed-gem-circular-electronics-programme-launches-in-16-countries.md), [Français](https://newsverum.com/fr/news/afdb-backed-gem-circular-electronics-programme-launches-in-16-countries.md), [Español](https://newsverum.com/es/news/afdb-backed-gem-circular-electronics-programme-launches-in-16-countries.md), [Deutsch](https://newsverum.com/de/news/afdb-backed-gem-circular-electronics-programme-launches-in-16-countries.md), [Português](https://newsverum.com/pt/news/afdb-backed-gem-circular-electronics-programme-launches-in-16-countries.md)

The African Development Bank Group and partners launched the US$60 million Global Electronics Management (GEM) Program in Manila on 7 October, covering circular-economy work in 16 countries. Nine African countries are included in its first phase.

The programme covers the electronics value chain, from resource-efficient production and longer product life to repair, reuse, collection, recovery and environmentally sound recycling. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility and led by UNIDO with AfDB, UNDP and UNEP. African participants are Botswana, Djibouti, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia and South Africa.

## Data

### GEM program launch

Launch in Manila of a multi-country electronics circularity programme.

Methodology: Launch date and scope are transcribed from AfDB; the announced programme budget is not a disbursement to participating countries.

| date | label | description | status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-07 | GEM launched in Manila | The first phase covers 16 countries, including nine in Africa. | occurred |

Sources: <https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/nine-african-countries-among-16-nations-new-60-97574> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/afdb-backed-gem-circular-electronics-programme-launches-in-16-countries/data/source-event?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/afdb-backed-gem-circular-electronics-programme-launches-in-16-countries/data/source-event?lang=en&format=csv)

## Sources

- [African Development Bank Group](<https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/nine-african-countries-among-16-nations-new-60-97574>) (Source checked: 2026-10-21; Published: 2026-10-16)

---

Cite the canonical URL above. [Editorial standards and corrections](https://newsverum.com/en/editorial)