The SMEP Programme is proud to share a milestone in our mission to support innovation in manufacturing value chains and circularity. One of our grantee projects, Uganda based BANATEX – EA took to centre stage at the 2025 Massmart Growth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on 2nd April 2025. The event brought together over 300
This annual review report showcases SMEP’s execution and impact for the financial year of 2023-2024. During the year under review, the programme had significant expansion into new sectors and undertook high-level engagements with regulatory and policy-making bodies.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR), South Africa, has collaborated with Elizade University, Nigeria, in AgriBioMulchFilm Project to develop biodegradable mulch films (BDM) by using locally available natural polymers such as starch and other additives to customise biodegradation rates of mulches, to replace the current non biodegradable Polyethylene (PE) mulch films.
Catchgreen, in collaboration with Swedish-based GAIA Biomaterials, has developed a global first biopolymer to replace harmful plastics in the fishing industry. Our inaugural product is an African-manufactured biodegradable fishing net. Our nets biodegrade with zero microplastics or toxins and provide a solution to marine plastic waste.
The SMEP programme aims to improve upon the existing knowledge of the environmental and health impacts of manufacturing across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and to develop solutions that address complex technical challenges in this area.
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