Community sensitisation could unlock Africa’s waste potential

From the newsletter

A new report from the Africa Waste and Wastewater Summit urges stronger community sensitisation to tackle growing waste in Africa. It argues that public education is essential to shift mindsets, turning waste into economic opportunities and improving segregation at source, both key to advancing Africa’s circular economy.

• Grassroots awareness is emerging as a key pillar in Africa’s waste strategies, enabling behavior change, local innovation, and stronger buy-in for regulations and recycling.

•  African governments are increasingly embedding community engagement in waste strategies, recognising that inclusive participation boosts policy effectiveness and support for circular economy transitions.

More details

• Based on proceedings from the Africa Waste and Water Summit II (AWWSII), hosted by the TakaTaka ni Mali Foundation, the Africa Waste is Wealth Series Report 2025 emphasises that educating communities to view waste as a resource can unlock major economic opportunities, create jobs and advance circular economy goals.

• “A paradigm shift is necessary—one that eliminates the term ‘waste’ from our vocabulary and recognises these materials as integral to the regenerative cycle,” says Mary Ngechu, Patron and Founder of TakaTaka ni Mali.

•  Community sensitisation has proven to be a powerful catalyst for effective engagement in Africa’s waste management and circular economy sectors. Beyond awareness-raising, it cultivates trust, collective responsibility and actionable participation at the grassroots level.

• According to the UN Environment Programme’s Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, empowering communities is essential for reducing waste and scaling circular economy models. The report notes that local engagement lowers system-wide costs and enhances resilience, making circular practices more likely to succeed long term.

• Across the continent, sensitisation has translated into measurable change. Rwanda’s Umuganda programme remains a flagship model of monthly community clean-ups combined with public education. It instils a sense of civic duty and has improved waste segregation and cleanliness in public spaces—offering a template for communal stewardship.

• In Kenya, TakaTaka Solutions integrates sensitisation into its circular business model by educating households on the value of waste separation and reuse. High participation rates and improved material recovery show that informed communities engage. 

• Egypt’s Zabaleen Community Project further demonstrates how education and training can reshape informal waste economies. Through health, safety and business skills training, alongside public awareness campaigns, the initiative has reduced stigma and fostered better cooperation with local authorities. This approach aligns with UNEP’s Towards Zero Waste guidance, which highlights how integrating waste pickers enhances both waste diversion and social equity.

• South Africa’s Waste Picker Integration Pilot also reflects this inclusive approach. Sensitisation workshops have brought together municipalities, residents and waste workers, improving cooperation and waste recovery. This kind of multistakeholder engagement—rooted in community empowerment—is increasingly seen in global frameworks as key to sustainable waste systems.

• While community sensitisation offers powerful benefits, it also faces significant challenges. Deeply rooted cultural attitudes towards waste often carry stigma and low priority, meaning behaviour change is a gradual process that requires persistent, culturally sensitive outreach efforts tailored to local contexts.

• Moreover, limited resources and low literacy levels in some communities restrict the reach and effectiveness of education campaigns. Without adequate funding and appropriate communication tools, sensitisation programmes may struggle to engage all segments of the population fully.

• Another major hurdle is the informal nature of many waste economies across Africa. Formalising engagement requires building trust between local governments, waste workers and residents—an often complex and delicate process.

• Overcoming these barriers is critical to scaling community sensitisation efforts and ensuring sustained, inclusive support for circular economy goals throughout diverse African settings.

Our take

• Community sensitisation is a fundamental pillar, not a peripheral add-on, in advancing Africa’s circular economy goals. By educating and engaging communities to recognise waste as a valuable resource, countries can unlock the full potential of their waste streams.

• Africa’s leading community sensitisation initiatives demonstrate that education combined with inclusive participation is key to building the trust, knowledge and momentum needed to transform waste management systems and unlock circular economy potential across the continent.

• Sustained investment in community sensitisation is essential to overcome cultural stigma and resource barriers. Only through continuous, locally tailored education and empowerment can circular economy practices become deeply embedded and scalable across Africa’s diverse contexts.