Analysis of the perception and acceptability of circular economy strategies by stakeholders in the wood and forestry sector in Benin

The circular economy is now being presented as a promising way to respond to the increasing depletion of forest resources. However, its application remains limited in value chains in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to analyses the perception and acceptability of four circular approaches proposed to actors in the timber and forestry sector in Benin, to assess their potential for implementation in a local context. The research is based on a field survey conducted in the north and south of the country, using semi-structured interviews with direct and indirect actors in the sector. The data collected was subjected to qualitative analysis, supported by descriptive statistics and econometric models to achieve the study’s objectives. Four circular economy strategies were proposed: eco-design, focused on sustainable product design; optimization of operations, aimed at improving process efficiency while taking ecological criteria into account; loan-exchange, which encourages the pooling of resources between actors; and industrial ecology, focused on inter-company coordination for systemic flow management. The results show overall favorable acceptability, with a marked preference for eco-design, optimization, and industrial ecology, which are perceived as particularly beneficial from an environmental standpoint. The loan-exchange strategy stands out for its social roots, strengthening solidarity and community cooperation. However, the use of these strategies remains dependent on factors such as the size and legal status of companies, access to information, the profile of stakeholders, and the local context.