CEIP | Circular Economy Innovation Partnership

What CEIP | Circular Economy Innovation Partnership does

CEIP (Circular Economy Innovation Partnership), operating as CEIP Africa, is a Lagos-headquartered ecosystem builder that promotes circular economy business innovation and investment in Nigeria through research, advocacy, and programme facilitation. It functions as a professional services organization rather than a software or technology vendor, with a six-person operational team led by Executive Director Dr. Natalie Beinisch (PhD, LSE; former UN PRI and Aegon Asset Management). The company's service portfolio is organized around five core offerings — Research Services, Programme Facilitation, Event Facilitation, Circular Talent Pipelines, and Circular Content Development — delivered through branded programmes including LOOPLab Incubation and Research Fellowship, the annual Circular Exchange event, Circular Economy Strategy Week, Circular Oasis Community, the Circular Business Platform, and the UNILAG Campus Bazaar.

Revenue is generated through grant-funded programme delivery and consulting engagements with international development organizations (GIZ SEDIN, Innovate UK KTN, Netherlands Enterprise Agency), Lagos State Government (via Circular Lagos), academic partners (Lagos Business School, UNILAG), and corporate ecosystem participants (Coca-Cola, Unilever, BASF, Nigerian Breweries). The go-to-market is community-led and partnership-driven: CEIP positions itself as the convening node between policymakers, corporates, startups, NGOs, and academia rather than running a traditional direct sales motion. Customer segments span Government and Policy Makers, Corporate Organizations, Circular Economy Startups, Academia, International Development Organizations, and Impact Investors, with the first three identified as primary. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and follows a professional services / grant-funded model.

Customer concentration is anchored on a small number of institutional donors and one sub-national government, which both validates CEIP's ecosystem position and creates renewal-cycle risk. The competitive moat rests on ecosystem lock-in and network effects (20+ circular businesses in its network, 7,000+ Circular Exchange 2024 participants, 9 LOOPLab partnerships, formal coordination roles across Lagos State, GIZ, KTN, and Dutch government), supplemented by first-party Nigerian circular economy data and a credentialed founder profile. There are no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, patents, or technology products; competitive differentiation is relationship- and convening-based rather than technology-based.

Name

CEIP | Circular Economy Innovation Partnership

Legal name

Circular Economy Innovation Partnership

Website

https://ceipafrica.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CEIP is a Lagos-based ecosystem builder that promotes circular economy business innovation in Nigeria through research, advocacy, and programme facilitation, serving government agencies, corporates, startups, international development organizations, and academia with consulting and event-based services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Circular Economy Consulting Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF)

Keywords

• Circular economy consulting
• Ecosystem development services
• Sustainability research
• Startup incubation programs
• Environmental advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Research and Consulting Services: CEIP generates revenue through conducting ecosystem and value mapping research, providing strategic advice to organizations on circular economy implementation, and offering consulting services to businesses, government agencies, and international development organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CEIP is a professional services ecosystem builder that promotes circular economy business innovation and investment in Nigeria through five core service areas: research services (ecosystem and value mapping), programme facilitation (supporting open innovation and business model experimentation), event facilitation (ecosystem gatherings), circular talent pipelines (community and capacity building), and circular content/curriculum development. Offerings are delivered to organisations — government, corporates, startups, international development partners and academia — via branded programmes such as LOOPLab, Circular Exchange, Circular Economy Strategy Week and Circular Oasis Community.

Product overview

CEIP (Circular Economy Innovation Partnership) is an ecosystem builder organisation based in Nigeria that offers a portfolio of consultancy and facilitation services rather than a unified technology product. The core service offering comprises five main areas: Research Services, Programme Facilitation, Event Facilitation, Circular Talent Pipelines, and Circular Content Development & Teaching Materials. These services are delivered through various branded programs and initiatives including the Circular Exchange annual event, Circular Economy Strategy Week, LOOPLab Incubation Programme, LOOPLab Research Fellowship, Circular Products Catalogue, Circular Lagos clearinghouse, Circular Oasis Community, and UNILAG Campus Bazaar. The organisation functions primarily as a consultancy and ecosystem builder, not as a software or technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Circular Oasis Community: A vibrant network aimed at equipping young people aged 16-35 with skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the circular economy and sustainability sectors.
• Circular Exchange
• LOOPLab
• Circular Business Platform

Products and services

• Research Services Ecosystem and value mapping research services to identify and structure circular business opportunities in Nigeria. Delivered to organisations including government agencies, international development partners and corporate clients.
• Programme Facilitation Facilitation of open-innovation processes that enable companies to experiment with new circular business models, including cohort-based incubation style engagements with corporate and SME partners.
• Event Facilitation Ecosystem events designed to strengthen business and advocacy networks for pursuing circular business opportunities, including conferences, marketplaces and stakeholder convenings.
• Circular Talent Pipelines Professional community building to support talent pipeline development for emerging circular businesses, including student engagement, mentorship and capacity-building offerings.
• Circular Content Development & Teaching Materials Nigeria-centred management content and teaching materials on circular economy themes, developed for academic and organisational use.
• Circular Exchange Annual ecosystem convening aimed at promoting development of the market for circular products and services in Nigeria, featuring a Circular Marketplace Exhibition and circular procurement activities. The 2024 edition engaged 7,000+ participants from circular economy organisations.
• Circular Economy Strategy Week Multi-day strategic coordination event focused on accelerating the circular economy agenda through Dutch-Nigerian partnerships across agriculture, e-waste, waste management, and waste-to-energy sectors.
• LOOPLab Incubation Programme Six-month incubation programme supporting circular economy startups in Lagos with peer networking, mentorship, business advisory, taught programming, and prototype development support.
• LOOPLab Research Fellowship Five-month hybrid fellowship programme for university and polytechnic students that combines business reality with tertiary education to drive circular economy awareness through research competitions. The programme has empowered 9 fellows to date.
• Circular Products Catalogue 2022 Digital catalogue tool showcasing circular products from local Nigerian entrepreneurs to help organisations and individuals identify and purchase circular products and services.
• Circular Lagos Digital clearinghouse initiated by Lagos State Government to support circular economy ecosystem development, showcasing Nigerian circular business models and centralising research and teaching on circular economy.
• Circular Oasis Community Youth-focused community for ages 16-35 equipping young people with circular economy skills through peer learning, mentorship, internships, and community engagement activities.
• UNILAG Campus Bazaar University of Lagos event combining circular marketplace exhibition, career workshop, and interactive sessions to transfer circular economy knowledge to students and staff and incorporate circular economy into tertiary institution behaviour.
• Building the African Circular Economy: Focus on Plastics In-depth research report examining regulatory frameworks and business models across Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya to address plastic production, consumption, and disposal, co-produced with Dalberg and the Africa Circular Economy Alliance.
• Stakeholder Consultation: Defining Innovation Needs for a Circular Economy Ecosystem in Nigeria Design-thinking-based workshop and stakeholder mapping study exploring business and ecosystem development opportunities across fibres, e-waste, and construction sectors for Innovate UK KTN.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7000+ participants engaged at Circular Exchange 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Circular LagoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCircular Lagos is a clearinghouse initiated by Lagos State Government to support circular economy ecosystem development. CEIP collaborates with Circular Lagos on multiple initiatives including Circular Lagos Challenge, Circular Exchange events, and the Circular Business Platform. The partnership focuses on showcasing Nigerian circular economy businesses and centralizing research and teaching on circular economy in Nigeria.
• Circular Business PlatformcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEIP hosts the Circular Business Platform (CBP), a platform that brings together circular businesses to build the market for Circular Economy businesses in Nigeria. CBP organizes events like Circular Exchange and supports circular business development through research, networking, and partnership facilitation.
• GIZ SEDINcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year collaboration on viable environmental sustainability projects. Joint work on Circular Lagos Projects focused on fostering collaboration among circular business partners and promoting circular concepts and solutions. GIZ SEDIN and CEIP have delivered top-notch services, strategies, and contributions to the green economy space.
• Innovate UK KTNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovate UK-KTN supports innovation through ecosystem development and knowledge transfer, developing circular economy innovation networks in Nigeria. CEIP carried out stakeholder mapping studies and designed/delivered design-thinking workshops for Innovate UK-KTN. The partnership focuses on building sector-based innovation networks in Nigeria.
• DalbergstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Dalberg to publish an in-depth report on 'Building the African Circular Economy: Focus on Plastics' examining regulatory frameworks and business models across Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.
• Africa Circular Economy AlliancestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Africa Circular Economy Alliance on the 'Building the African Circular Economy: Focus on Plastics' report to examine circular economy approaches in African countries.
• Netherlands ConsulatestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetherlands Consulate supported Circular Exchange 2024 and advocates for renewable energy and circular economy transition. The consulate recognizes the transformative potential of the circular economy for sustainable and inclusive growth.
• Netherlands Enterprise AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the Circular Economy Strategy Week organized by Circular Business Platform and Netherlands Government. Netherlands Enterprise Agency coordinates Dutch-Nigerian partnerships to accelerate circular economy agenda through strategic coordination.
• Lagos Business SchoolstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing insights on agro-waste and supporting circular economy education. Contributed to Circular Exchange 2024 and broader circular economy ecosystem development in Nigeria.
• Enterprise Development Centre (EDC)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting Circular Exchange 2024. EDC focuses on enterprise development and supports circular economy businesses through capacity building and market access.
• Sterling BankstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial institution partner supporting Circular Exchange 2024 as part of sustainable finance initiatives in Nigeria.
• German Development Cooperation (GIZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ supports LOOPLab Incubation Programme and other circular economy initiatives. LOOPLab is a pioneering project of Circular Lagos supported by GIZ, working with large and small companies to develop partnerships.
• Coca-ColaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and partner featured in CEIP's client/partners section. Coca-Cola is involved in circular economy initiatives including extended producer responsibility schemes.
• Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBRA is a Producer Responsibility Organization established by brands including Coca-Cola, Nigerian Breweries and Unilever. CEIP works with FBRA on plastic waste management policy advocacy and circular economy ecosystem building.
• UnileverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and partner involved in extended producer responsibility schemes. Partnered with FBRA for plastic recycling initiatives.
• Nigerian BreweriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and partner involved in circular economy initiatives and extended producer responsibility schemes.
• LAWMA (Lagos State Waste Management Authority)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner for waste management in Lagos. CEIP collaborates on waste management interventions and circular economy ecosystem development.
• BASFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal chemical company featured as a client/partner in CEIP's network. Involved in circular economy initiatives.
• Innov8 HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub partner where CEIP provided strategic advice, access to circular economy experts as mentors, and business development opportunities to entrepreneurs in their programmes.
• LooplabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOOPLab is a pioneering open innovation project supporting circular economy startups. CEIP implements LOOPLab Incubation Programme and Research Fellowship in partnership with Circular Lagos.
• QuadLoopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup producing solar lighting from disposed batteries. Established R&D office at Hinckley's recycling facilities. Partnership allows both companies to explore new ways of working with waste materials.
• GIVOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNigeria-based recycling company that developed prototype manufacturing unit producing bricks using low-value plastic and solar power with Portugal-based partner Precious Plastics.
• Closing the LoopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational circular firm that made presentations at Circular Economy Strategy Week to foster enhanced circular economy through collaboration with Dutch government.
• CIRCOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational circular economy organization that made presentations at Circular Economy Strategy Week to foster enhanced circular economy through collaboration.
• Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner contributing to Circular Economy Strategy Week discussions. NPAP works on advancing circular economy for plastics in Nigeria.
• Holland Circular HotspotstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch organization focused on creating mutual business opportunities between Netherlands and Nigeria in circular economy. Represented by Freek Van Eijk, Director.
• University of Lagos (UNILAG)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with CEIP on UNILAG Campus Bazaar to incorporate circular economy development into tertiary institution behavior. Event combined circular marketplace exhibition, career workshop, and interactive sessions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• WRAP: UK-based circular economy charity working with governments, businesses, and citizens on resource efficiency. Comparable to CEIP in mission and ecosystem-building approach, but with a much larger footprint and government backing.
• Closed Loop Partners: US-based circular economy investment and advisory firm building supply chain solutions. Comparable to CEIP's blending of advisory, convening, and catalytic capital deployment, but anchored in investment funds rather than donor grants.
• Ashden: UK-based climate and sustainable development charity running awards, accelerator programs, and convening activities for green enterprises. Comparable to CEIP in convening, advocacy, and ecosystem-building for circular economy ventures.
• Climate-KIC: EU-backed climate innovation community running accelerators, demonstrators, and education programs. Comparable to CEIP's combination of innovation programs, talent development, and policy engagement.

Direct peers

• Dalberg: Global consulting firm active in African development and sustainability, and an actual collaborating partner with CEIP on the 'Building the African Circular Economy' report. Closely comparable in mission-driven advisory and African ecosystem engagement.
• SystemIQ: Systems-change firm focused on circular economy (including plastics) with active work in African and emerging markets. Directly comparable as an advisory and convening organization targeting circular economy transitions in developing markets.
• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused innovation hubs supporting entrepreneurs across emerging markets. Comparable to CEIP's incubation and entrepreneurship support activities via LOOPLab and Circular Oasis.
• Circle Economy: Dutch-founded circular economy NGO that produces the Circularity Gap Report and runs circular economy advisory programs globally. Highly comparable to CEIP as an NGO-led circular economy platform providing research, convening, and program facilitation services.
• Metabolic: Dutch sustainability and circular economy consultancy that advises governments and companies on circular transitions. Comparable to CEIP's advisory and convening role, with deeper technical specialization.
• Africa Circular Economy Alliance: Multi-country public-private alliance advancing circular economy in Africa, co-publishing with CEIP on the plastics report. Directly comparable in regional circular economy convening and policy advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CEIP_Africa
• Facebookfacebook.com/CEIPartnershipAfrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ceipafricaorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/ceip_africa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CEIP | Circular Economy Innovation Partnership