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- Solar import surge creates future recycling opportunity
Solar import surge creates future recycling opportunity
Dear subscriber,
Africa’s circular economy journey is moving from ideas and commitments towards building the systems needed to make change last. As priorities evolve, the focus is shifting to how markets, infrastructure and governance can work together to create more sustainable ways of managing resources.
Mercy Maina – Editor
 | Africa imported 16.5 GW of solar components from China in early 2026, more than doubling 2025 imports, according to think tank Ember. While this surge reflects the continent's expanding progress on energy access, it also underscores a need to prepare for recycling the millions of panels now entering Africa. |
Africa's solar deployment is accelerating faster than its recycling infrastructure, raising the risk that millions of panels could eventually become waste unless collection and processing systems are developed early.
Solar panels are not the only part of the new energy solutions that need circularity. Batteries and inverters are part of most systems and will also need replacing or potentially recycling.
Our take: Businesses that develop end-of-life infrastructure alongside solar deployment are likely to secure a lasting competitive advantage… Read more (2 min)
 | As African countries expand Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, circular economy practitioner Eric Guantai argues their success depends not only on producer compliance but also on financially sustainable collection systems. Without viable economics, he warns, targets could remain out of reach despite stronger regulation. |
Mr Guantai is a circular economy practitioner and sustainability consultant with extensive experience in climate change, waste management, EPR, ESG integration and Scope 3 emissions.
"If compensation levels fail to cover the actual cost of collection, several predictable outcomes emerge.Ultimately, producers may find themselves compliant on paper while struggling to secure the physical recovery volumes necessary to satisfy regulatory obligations, " he says.
Read the full opinion article here (2 min)
 | Lagos has established a dedicated waste enforcement unit to crack down on illegal dumping and improve compliance with environmental regulations. The move highlights a critical challenge in Africa’s circular economy transition where governments struggle to turn ambitious waste policies into effective systems on the ground. |
Many African countries already have waste management laws and plastic restrictions in place, but weak enforcement continues to undermine compliance.
Consistent enforcement strengthens circular markets by reducing illegal dumping and creating a level playing field, giving formal recyclers confidence to invest in collection, sorting and processing capacity.
Our take: Africa cannot police its way out of a waste crisis……Read more (2 min)
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Source: Raymond Omollo
Aerial view of Konza Technopolis Water Reclamation Facility in Kenya
Events
🤝 Participate in SA’s CE & Economic Transformation Conference (Aug 21)
📦 Sign up for the 6th Africa International E-Waste Conference in Kenya (Oct 15)
🪪 Network at WasteCon 2026 in South Africa (Oct 20)
Jobs
🧕 Coordinate operations at South Group Recycling (South Africa)
👷 Oversee wastewater treatment operations at Amentum (Kenya)
🧕 Lead the design of sustainable land management interventions (Uganda)
🧑💼 Undertake research on bioinspired circular conversion at UM6p (Morocco)
🧑🏫 Work as a site operator at Geocycle (Egypt)
Various
⁉️ Why solar industry’s shift from silver threatens a $450 million recycling market
✍️ Egypt, Switzerland sign $1.7m grant for e-waste recycling project
🏧 Nigerian bank launches Ecocyle, an account for green economy entrepreneurs
💰 Egypt’s circular economy to benefit from EU-backed $52 million credit facility
🧑⚖️ Why Kenya’s circular economy success rests on compliance
🪼 Global marine plastic recycling market anticipated to reach $458 million by 2032
Seen on LinkedIn
The Africa Circular Business Alliance says, “Having a viable waste stream is not a business model. It is a starting point. What determines whether a circular enterprise generates sustainable margins — or simply moves material at cost — is the architecture of the model built around that feedstock.”