Africa Waste Management Outlook (Full report)

The Africa Waste Management Outlook Summary for Decision-Makers finds that Africa generated 125 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2012, a figure expected to double by 2025. Waste collection averages only 55%, and over 90% of waste is dumped or openly burned, with 19 of the world’s 50 largest dumpsites located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Waste composition is dominated by organic matter (57%) and plastics (13%), yet only 4% of all waste is recycled despite 70–80% being potentially recyclable. Mismanaged waste causes severe public health, environmental, and economic harm, including marine plastic pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and disease risks.

The report calls for universal access to proper waste collection and disposal by 2030, elimination of open dumping, and diversion of at least 50% of waste to reuse, recycling, and recovery. It highlights potential economic gains of US$8 billion annually from secondary resource recovery, requiring investment between US$6–42 billion (short-term) and up to US$125 billion by 2040 in infrastructure and technology. Key recommendations include: strengthening legislation and enforcement, integrating the informal sector, promoting public–private partnerships, improving waste data collection, and developing an African Regional Strategy for Secondary Materials Management. The report envisions all citizens having reliable waste services and Africa transforming waste into a resource to drive jobs, industry, and sustainable urban growth.