Circular IT group and Close the Gap strengthen partnership through international expansion and an ambitious goal to double volumes

Nairobi, 14 October 2026, Circular IT group and Close the Gap have confirmed the key terms for the continuation of their long-term partnership in Nairobi.

The partners aim to double the volume of IT equipment they jointly process for reuse, expand their collaboration to the United Kingdom and strengthen the operational infrastructure of their African hubs. In doing so, they link further growth to their shared commitment to digital inclusion.

The partnership builds on more than 25 years of collaboration. By reaffirming their long-term commitment, both organisations create opportunities to invest in shared capacity, expertise and infrastructure. The agreed terms will be developed into a final contract over the next two weeks.

“This partnership has proven its value. By renewing our long-term commitment to one another, we reaffirm our confidence in investing together and further increasing our impact,” says Dimitri Wams, CEO of Circular IT group.

For Close the Gap, growth serves a wider purpose: increasing digital access. Reusing IT equipment connects circularity with opportunities for people who lack adequate access to digital resources.

“For us, volume growth is about creating greater impact. We want to give more IT equipment a second life and, in doing so, expand opportunities for digital access. We know the difference we can make together and want to increase that impact further,” says Olivier (Baron) Vanden Eynde, CEO of Close the Gap.

A central ambition is to double the volume of IT equipment the partners give a second life. To achieve this growth responsibly, they aim to strengthen the entire value chain and further professionalise their processes. Secure data erasure remains an essential part of this approach.

“Doubling volumes requires more than additional capacity. We want to strengthen the entire value chain so that we can reliably process larger volumes and give more equipment a second life. This takes knowledge, expertise and skills. That is precisely what makes this partnership so valuable,” says Didier Appels, Managing Director of Circular IT group Belgium.

The launch of Close the Gap UK marks the next step in the international partnership. Through this expansion, the partners aim to engage new organisations in their approach to IT reuse and digital inclusion.

“With Close the Gap UK, we want to expand our international collaboration further. We see opportunities to bring new partners into our mission, give more IT equipment a second life and make digital inclusion a reality for more people,” says Olivier (Baron) Vanden Eynde, CEO of Close the Gap.

This international expansion goes hand in hand with the ambition to further strengthen digital inclusion in the Netherlands. Circular IT group will support the hubs in Nairobi, Johannesburg and Kinshasa with ERP infrastructure and operational expertise. This support will include workflow design and certification, with the aim of further strengthening local capacity and operational independence.

“Strong local hubs are essential for lasting impact. Support from Circular IT group helps us continue to build that foundation in Nairobi, Johannesburg and Kinshasa,” says Niels van Campen, General Manager of Close the Gap Netherlands.

The confirmation of the partnership’s key terms in Nairobi marks the next phase: greater shared capacity, a wider international reach and further investment in the infrastructure that enables sustainable impact.

About Circular IT group

Circular IT group is a leading European brand in circular IT, providing IT lifecycle solutions that enable organisations to accelerate their sustainable transformation through innovative and responsible products and services. With an integrated portfolio spanning End-user Computing, IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and Recommerce, Circular IT group supports organisations throughout the entire IT lifecycle: from deployment and use to secure decommissioning, reuse and responsible recycling.

Operating across Europe, Circular IT group combines local expertise with international scale, bringing together specialist companies, knowledge and people. Its approach focuses on making circular IT secure, compliant, operationally manageable and environmentally responsible, while also financially attractive for organisations.

More than 10,000 customers and partners worldwide are already part of this transition. By extending the useful life of IT equipment, maximising reuse and responsibly managing equipment at the end of its life, Circular IT group turns circularity into measurable business value and positive societal impact.