In a joint effort to bolster circular economy initiatives, Nokia has teamed up with Orange as part of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains (SWITCH2CE) initiative. The collaboration will focus on enhancing circular practices in network equipment, including the establishment of a new repair center in Egypt to extend product lifetimes and promote sustainable networks.
This initiative, co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Finland, aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which sets ambitious targets for waste management improvement, including a recycling rate of 25% by 2030 and 100% safe disposal of hazardous waste. The project aims to engage citizens in adopting circular economy practices, advocating behavioral change toward recycling and circularity.
The new repair center in Egypt will provide support services for Nokia’s 5G and legacy telecoms network equipment. This move underscores Nokia’s commitment to circularity, incorporating practices such as product takeback, refurbishing, and collaboration with certified recyclers.
Pierre Chaume, Vice-President North West Africa at Nokia, emphasized the significance of combating climate change through circular practices, citing Nokia’s 25 years of well-established circular initiatives. He expressed pride in continuing the close relationship with Orange and supporting the UNIDO-led initiative as Egypt pursues its ambitious circularity targets.
Jérôme Henique, Executive Vice President, CEO of Middle East and Africa (OMEA) at Orange, highlighted their pleasure in collaborating with the United Nations, Nokia, and Cordon Group to implement circular economy practices in Egypt and Africa. Orange aims to leverage its expertise to contribute to the social and economic development of the regions in which it operates.
Mark Draeck, SWITCH2CE Chief Technical Advisor at UNIDO, emphasized the global significance of the SWITCH2CE project, leading the circular transition for the ICT and electronics sector in Egypt. The project aims to address challenges in technology, business models, and traceability, demonstrating the economic opportunities associated with circular approaches.
The collaboration is part of Nokia’s broader goal to achieve a 95% circularity rate for waste from its offices, labs, manufacturing, installation, and product takeback by 2030. The partnership with Orange and involvement in the UNIDO initiative reflects Nokia’s commitment to contributing to a just transition to an inclusive, climate-neutral, and circular economy.
About Nokia: Nokia, a B2B technology innovation leader, pioneers networks across mobile, fixed, and cloud platforms. With a focus on secure, reliable, and sustainable networks, Nokia collaborates with service providers, enterprises, and partners globally.
About Orange: Orange, a leading telecommunications operator, operates in 26 countries with a total customer base of 296 million worldwide. The company is also a key provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies.
About SWITCH2CE: Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains is an initiative co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Finland, led by UNIDO. It aims to assist EU multinational companies and their suppliers in transitioning to more circular economy approaches in selected value chains, including Plastic Packaging, Textile & Garments, and ICT and Electronics. Learn more at: www.switchtocircular.eu.