SMEP News
Explore the latest SMEP news and stories here. Our news section showcases key events, achievements, and thought-provoking articles to keep our community and visitors abreast of SMEP happenings.

On the Road to Nice: Tackling ghost gear as 2025 deadline for marine pollution reduction nears
As the world edges closer to the 2025 global deadline to reduce marine pollution under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.1, momentum is building across governments, businesses, and international organisations to accelerate action for healthier oceans. The UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice (9–13 June 2025) is a major checkpoint towards meeting

SMEP-funded Fresh Produce Impact Hub successfully launched its Policy Blueprint: Moving Ghana Beyond Plastics
On 10 April 2025 in Accra, Republic of Ghana, the SMEP-funded Fresh Produce Impact Hub (FreshPPact) successfully launched its latest report: Moving Ghana Beyond Plastics: A Policy Blueprint for a Thriving Plastic Substitutes and Alternatives Industry. The Policy Blueprint report is aimed at facilitating the transition to plastic alternatives and

Flipping the script: How cleaner production is reshaping industrial growth in the Global South
Industrialisation has powered development – potentially lifting millions out of poverty, creating employment, and driving growth. But today, the environmental costs of unchecked and often poorly planned industrial expansion can no longer be dismissed as tomorrow’s problem. Pollution knows no borders and its impacts on human and environmental health, including

Small-scale plastics recycling in Africa
Join Waste Wise for a webinar on small-scale plastics recycling in Africa! Small-scale Plastics Recycling in Africa 🗓 Date: 23 April 2025🕒 Time: 12:00 GMT | 14:00 SAST | 15:00 EAT⌛ Duration: 1 hour📍 Venue: Online Register here Recycling plastic in Africa is seldom a straightforward win, especially in remote and coastal areas.

SMEP-Backed Innovation Takes the Spotlight at Walmart Summit: TEXFAD Uganda Pitches Sustainable Banana Fibre Yarn
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

Understanding Traceability and Due Diligence in the Leather Supply Chain: Perspectives from Pakistan and Bangladesh
Join us for a webinar on leather supply chain traceability! Understanding Traceability and Due Diligence in the Leather Supply Chain: Perspectives from Pakistan and Bangladesh 🗓 Date: 16 April 2025🕒 Time: 2:00 PM UTC+5 | 11:00 AM CEST | 11:00 AM SAST⌛Duration: 1.5 hours📍 Venue: Online (Zoom) Register here Background