Can SMEs unlock scalable solutions for Africa’s waste crisis?

• SMEs often drive innovation on Africa’s waste frontlines, yet public funding rarely follows. Ghana’s move to invest in ten local firms breaks from the norm—aligning policy with practice and giving homegrown solutions a seat at the table.

• UNIDO’s support of the SME initiative in Ghana hints at a changing development model—one that puts African enterprises at the heart of scalable solutions. If replicated, this could reset how international funding reaches those closest to the problem.

• Our take: Africa’s SMEs are solving waste problems daily, yet policy priorities continue to overlook them. If governments want scalable solutions, they must stop treating local enterprises as marginal… Read more (2 min)

Q&A: Inclusivity is key to waste management

• Victor is a Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) Consultant with over a decade of experience in environmental management and sustainability.

• According to the UNDP, while the waste management economy remains largely informal, with a significant number of workers drawn from marginalised groups, conversations around inclusivity are still often overlooked.

• Get the full Q & A here

Project tracker: West Africa leads in circular waste solutions

• Sierra Leone has unveiled a waste-to-energy project set to power 3.3 million people by converting 365,000 tonnes of waste into 236.5 GWh of electricity annually, reducing 94,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. 

• Meanwhile, Ghana has launched a $7 million, five-year project aimed at scaling SME-driven plastic recycling, with targets to recover 93,000 tonnes of plastic, prevent 12,000 tonnes of marine litter, and create 10,000+ jobs.

• Our take: West Africa’s leadership in circular economy projects underscores its growing role in sustainable innovation, with ambitious waste management initiatives driving both environmental and economic progress…Read more (2 min)

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