• Nokia will work closely with Orange to further develop circular economy approaches in network equipment, including setting up a new repair center in Egypt, which will extend the lifetime of its products and drive more sustainable and efficient networks.
• The project forms part of the UNIDO-run Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains  initiative, which aims to support corporates to accelerate their circularity efforts, including with their partners in developing countries.
• Nokia’s support of the initiative is part of its broader investment in and commitment to circularity with practices in place such as product takeback, refurbishing, and supporting customers in the use of certified recyclers.

Nokia  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. These involve increasing the overall waste collection coverage and efficiency, with an objective of 80% and 90%, respectively, by 2030. The plans also include increasing the recycling rate to 25% by the year 2030, as well as ensuring 100% safe disposal of hazardous waste.

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.

Nokia looks at circularity from two perspectives: firstly, how to increase the usage of non-virgin materials in the creation of new products, and secondly, how to ensure maximum circularity of Nokia’s operational value chain. Connected to this, is Nokia’s 2030 target for a 95% circularity rate for waste from Nokia’s offices, labs, manufacturing, installation and product takeback by 2030. The purpose of the new target is to improve waste management so that disposal to landfill is minimized. For this reason, working with Orange and its partners in the UNIDO-run Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains initiative is important. The overall objective of the project is to support “A just transition to an inclusive climate neutral and circular economy”, including to contribute to sustainable growth, low carbon and climate resilient development, decent jobs creation, and safer, healthier and pollution-free environment.

Pierre Chaume, Vice-President North West Africa at Nokia, said: “Increasing circular practices and reducing waste are therefore 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) at Orange, said: “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 at UNIDO, said: “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.”