WEBINAR WRAP-UP: Waste in Africa: From Crisis to Circular Opportunity featuring World Bank Group’s What A Waste 3.0

Watch this Dialogue recording on-demand now! Click here

Sub-Saharan Africa is set to become the fastest-growing waste region in the world – but with that comes opportunity. This interactive dialogue explores key insights from the World Bank’s What a Waste 3.0 and what they mean for building more sustainable, circular waste systems across Africa.

Executive Summary

The dialogue highlighted that Africa is facing a slow‑onset but accelerating waste crisis, driven by population growth, urbanisation and rising consumption. Findings from the World Bank’s What a Waste 3.0 report show that waste generation is increasing faster than previously projected, with Sub‑Saharan Africa facing the steepest growth. Despite global targets and ambition, waste collection, treatment and controlled disposal remain critically low across much of the continent. The sector is underfunded and constrained by weak data systems, limited institutional capacity and poor enforcement, particularly at municipal level. The discussion reinforced that waste management is a public service and economic sector, and that inaction today will compound environmental, health and fiscal costs tomorrow.

Download the What a Waste 3.0 report: HERE

“There is a waste crisis. It is a slow‑onset waste crisis, but it is with us, and it is not going anywhere — there will be much more waste tomorrow than what we have today.” – Kremena Ionkova

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Africa is facing a fast‑growing waste crisis
Waste generation in Sub‑Saharan Africa is projected to increase by over 120% by 2050, while current systems are already under strain, with low collection rates and widespread dumping and burning.

The biggest problem is not plastics – it’s organics
Nearly half of Africa’s waste stream is organic, presenting a major opportunity for composting, soil health, food security and job creation if managed properly.

Waste management is severely underfunded and under‑prioritised
The sector requires sustained public investment, yet many African countries spend less than half of what is needed to operate even basic systems, making inaction more costly than action.

Data, governance and enforcement are critical bottlenecks
Weak waste data systems, limited institutional capacity and poor enforcement undermine planning, financing and the ability to scale circular economy solutions.

Circular waste systems can drive jobs, resilience and economic value
Well‑managed waste systems create jobs, reduce health and environmental risks, and unlock circular value chains, while mismanaged waste leads to lost economic value and rising public costs.

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