The Africa Waste is Wealth Series II (AWWS II), held in Nairobi on October 8th and 9th, 2024, was a pivotal event for the waste management and sustainability sectors. Organized by TakaTaka Ni Mali, the conference gathered experts, government leaders, industry innovators, and community organizers under the theme Accelerating Sustainable Green Initiatives and Highlighting East Africa’s Plastic Policy Ambitions. Through its dynamic sessions and workshops, AWWS 2 provided a platform for actionable insights, innovative technologies, and policy recommendations aimed at addressing Africa’s waste management challenges. Here are the top highlights from AWWS 2, featuring sessions that left a lasting impact on attendees and underscored the conference’s vision of transforming waste into wealth.
1. Keynote Address by James Law: International Perspectives on Waste Management
James Law, Vice President at SCS Engineers and President of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), delivered a keynote speech that set a compelling tone for the conference. With over 30 years in civil and geotechnical engineering, James emphasized the need for Africa to adopt a circular economy approach to waste management. He shared insights on ISWA’s global initiatives, particularly the Closing Dumpsites Global Initiative, which aims to transition developing nations away from open dumpsites toward more sustainable waste processing.
James highlighted the economic potential of transforming waste into valuable resources, citing examples from regions where waste management has become an engine for growth. His talk underscored the need for African nations to capitalize on existing waste streams by investing in recycling facilities, creating employment, and developing policies to support sustainable waste practices.
2. The Draft East African Community Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Bill: Legislative Progress and Future Prospects
A major highlight of AWWS 2 was the in-depth presentation of the Draft East African Community (EAC) Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Bill by Rosa Nduati-Mutero, Managing Partner at ALN Kenya. This proposed bill seeks to eliminate single-use plastics across East Africa by standardizing regulations and promoting alternatives.
Rosa’s session was both informative and inspiring, as she explained the collaborative process of drafting the bill and working with regional stakeholders to gain consensus. She provided insights into the specific provisions of the bill, which include promoting biodegradable alternatives, banning certain types of plastic packaging, and educating the public on sustainable consumption practices. Attendees engaged enthusiastically, asking questions about how the bill would impact businesses and the timelines for enforcement, underscoring the audience’s strong interest in legislative action.
3. Panel on Community Engagement in Integrated Waste Management
Community engagement was a recurring theme throughout the conference, with the standout session led by Hon. Dr. Wilber Ottichilo, Governor of Vihiga County and Chairman of the Council of Governors for Environment and Climate Change. This panel explored the importance of involving communities in waste management, recognizing that sustainable change must begin at the grassroots level.
Dr. Ottichilo emphasized the role of technology in enhancing community engagement, describing how digital tools can help track waste generation and facilitate communication between waste pickers and local governments. His message resonated strongly with the audience, particularly as he highlighted examples from Vihiga County, where community-led waste initiatives have driven positive change. Dr. Ottichilo’s call for “commercializing waste” as a way to motivate community members to participate in recycling initiatives sparked a lively discussion on how to incentivize local populations.
4. Living Income Assessment and Economic Impact of Waste Management Initiatives
Systemiq Ltd., a leader in sustainable economic systems, presented an impactful workshop on the economic benefits of waste management. The session focused on their Living Income Assessment and Results Report, conducted in partnership with the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) in Kenya. The report demonstrated how waste management initiatives could support community livelihoods by creating jobs and improving income levels.
Attendees were particularly interested in the detailed financial models presented by Systemiq, which illustrated how a well-structured recycling ecosystem could boost local economies. The session also highlighted success stories of community-led waste management projects that improved living standards. This workshop gave participants valuable insights into the economic dimension of waste management, positioning it as a potential driver for socio-economic transformation in Africa.
5. Session on Digital Technologies for Waste Traceability and Management
Another well-attended session explored the role of digital solutions in enhancing waste management transparency and accountability. Moderated by Faith Macharia, Partner at ALN Kenya, the panel featured speakers from tech companies specializing in waste traceability and data analytics. Discussions centered on how digital platforms can help waste pickers record data, track waste volumes, and connect with recyclers.
One of the standout technologies showcased was a mobile app designed to improve traceability and streamline communication within the waste management supply chain. Through this app, waste pickers could log data on waste collected, while recyclers could access this data in real time, making the entire process more efficient. The session sparked substantial interest, with many participants expressing eagerness to explore how similar digital solutions could be implemented in their own regions.
6. Establishing the East Africa Waste Management Coalition
The formation of the East Africa Waste Management Coalition was one of the most significant outcomes of AWWS 2. Announced during the closing plenary, this coalition aims to unify waste management policies and foster collaboration across East African nations. The coalition will serve as a regional platform for sharing best practices, pooling resources, and aligning efforts to create a harmonized approach to waste management.
This announcement was met with enthusiasm from attendees, who recognized the coalition as a critical step toward a cohesive and scalable waste management framework. The coalition’s commitment to a circular economy model holds the potential to reduce waste, generate employment, and attract investment, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth across the region.
7. Workshop on Plastic Credits and Outcomes-Based Financing in National Waste Regulations
Led by Sandeep Main, Partner and Head of Private Enterprise at KPMG East Africa, this session focused on innovative financing models for waste management, including plastic credits and outcomes-based financing. These models offer a way to fund large-scale waste initiatives by rewarding organizations for achieving specific environmental outcomes.
Sandeep shared how plastic credits, similar to carbon credits, could incentivize companies to reduce their plastic usage by assigning a monetary value to reductions in plastic waste. The discussion extended to the benefits of outcomes-based financing, where funders only pay if certain sustainability targets are met, making it a results-driven approach. This session offered attendees new perspectives on financing models that align with the growing demand for accountability and measurable impact in the waste management sector.
8. “Thinking Outside the Sink”: Strategies for Organic Waste Management
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) led a thought-provoking session titled Thinking Outside the Sink, which addressed strategies for managing organic waste through trade and technological advancements. The session highlighted the potential of South-South collaboration to advance technologies for sustainable water use and wastewater management, providing practical solutions to waste-related challenges.
This session explored barriers to organic waste circularity and discussed policy incentives that could help overcome these obstacles. UNCTAD representatives emphasized the importance of trade in scaling organic waste solutions, pointing out that many African countries could benefit from cross-border technology exchanges and capacity building. Participants left with a clearer understanding of how trade policies can play a role in supporting sustainable waste practices.
Conclusion
The Africa Waste is Wealth Series 2 successfully spotlighted transformative ideas, practical solutions, and impactful strategies for advancing waste management across East Africa. With insightful contributions from industry leaders like James Law, Rosa Nduati-Mutero, and Sandeep Main, AWWS 2 demonstrated the importance of an integrated approach to waste management—one that involves technology, legislation, community engagement, and cross-border collaboration.
Each session reinforced the vision of transforming waste into wealth, a mission that resonates deeply with Africa’s potential to lead in sustainable development. From digital tools for waste traceability to new financing models and cross-regional coalitions, the ideas presented at AWWS 2 laid a solid foundation for Africa’s waste management future. Participants left the conference not only with actionable insights but also with the inspiration to drive impactful change in their own communities. As TakaTaka Ni Mali continues to push forward with its mission, AWWS 2 stands as a powerful reminder that Africa’s waste is indeed its wealth.