Africa Waste Management - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2020 - 2029

The Africa Waste Management Market size is estimated at USD 21.72 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 27.70 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.98% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The market is driven by government initiatives and projects. Furthermore, the market is driven by the companies emerging in the sector to increase recycling needs.

Key Highlights

• Africa's urban population is growing at a faster rate than any other continent (3.5% per year). Although waste generation in Africa is currently lower than in the developed world, SubSaharan Africa is expected to overtake the developed world as the dominant region in terms of total waste generation if current generation trends continue. Population growth, rapid urbanisation, a growing middle class, changing consumption habits and production patterns, and global waste trade and trafficking all contribute to waste generation in Africa, as it does in other developing regions around the world. Inadequate waste management in Africa is causing economic, social, and environmental problems. However, there are some encouraging signs.
• Most of the Municipal Solid Waste collection services in many African countries are inadequate. With an average of 57% of MSW in Africa being biodegradable organic waste, the bulk of the waste is dumped. About 90% of the waste generated in Africa is disposed of to land, typically in uncontrolled and controlled dumpsites. Only about 4% of the waste generated in Africa is recycled, often by informal actors (as with reuse). Africa has lately become a dumping site for waste, particularly hazardous waste, often from developed countries. More than 130 people have died in landfill collapses in Africa in the past year, 2/3 of whom were women. To address these concerns, many social and technological innovations have emerged in the waste sector in Africa.
• In comparison to the continent's minuscule recycling rate, South Africa stands out as a shining beacon. South Africa consumed approximately 3.4 million tonnes of packaging (glass, paper, metal, and plastic) in 2021, with approximately 54% collected for recycling, compared to the continental average of 4%. Apart from South Africa's success, the situation remains bleak: most African countries' collection services are woefully inadequate. The average MSW collection rate is low (mostly organic waste), and the majority of it is dumped, even though the fact that it could provide significant socioeconomic opportunities. Recycling is emerging as a viable business across Africa, driven more by poverty, unemployment, and socioeconomic need than by public or private sector design. An army of unpaid waste collectors makes a living by recovering valuable resources at little to no cost to municipalities or private companies.

Africa Waste Management Market Trends

Increasing Awareness towards the Waste Management

One of the most significant decisions in the history of waste management in Africa was taken when African environment ministers gathered in Senegal in the middle of September 2022. The ministers started the process of putting an end to open rubbish burning and dumping. This choice will have a variety of effects on the economy, the environment, and society. Millions of lives could be saved across the continent.

Sub-Saharan Africa produced 180 million tons of garbage or nearly 9% of the total global output. Only around 11% of this trash was dumped in landfills that were adequately constructed and maintained. More than 60% of them ended up at open dumps. 90% or more of the trash is thrown out in the open in many African cities. A large portion of it is burned, releasing toxic pollution plumes into homes, lungs, and the environment. Dioxins, hydrocarbons, and black carbon, all extremely harmful climatic pollutants, are among these emissions. Moreover, methane produced by the decomposition of organic waste causes open burning and is a significant climate change contributor.

People and the environment are both severely affected. More than 1.2 million Africans die prematurely each year due to air pollution. Children who live close to large dumpsites have been found to have persistent respiratory, gastrointestinal, and dermatological conditions. In African metropolitan centers, more than 60% of the garbage produced is biodegradable. 20% more of it is recyclable. All of this recyclable and biodegradable garbage may be kept out of landfills. By 2030, this would result in a 60% decrease in open rubbish burning.

The utilization of trash as a supplementary resource input and a change in people's behavior are two ways that nations might accomplish this. Governments, local authorities, the commercial sector, civic society, development partners, community organizations, informal trash service providers, and recyclers must all put out enormous effort. Local authorities are on the front lines. They must collaborate with local governments to enforce laws against open burning and dumping and to alter attitudes and behavior. They must to additionally supply the facilities required for recycling and garbage separation. Action will take place at the local level, and the objective is to persuade African towns and nations to join a partnership that is anticipated to be unveiled during COP27.

The Most Critical Urban African Issue in Need of Support is Waste Management

The most urgently needed investment for climate infrastructure in African towns is waste management initiatives. Among all projects that were disclosed, waste management projects ranked first (50 projects, or 27 percent of the total), followed by water management (28 projects, or 15.5 percent), transportation (27 projects, or 15 percent), renewable energy (25 projects, or 14 percent), and buildings (10 percent and 5 percent, respectively), with a total of 29 projects. A total of 50 waste management projects totaling USD 935 million in value and more than USD 356 million in investment were reported by 31 local governments. The key initiatives were phasing out open dump sites, building sanitary landfills, and redirecting trash from landfills to more sustainable waste recovery and treatment methods.

The first Africa Circular Economy Facility was introduced by the African Development Bank Group today during its 2022 Annual Meetings. A production and consumption paradigm known as the "circular economy" emphasizes sharing, renting, reusing, repairing, and recycling old goods for as long as feasible. The Bank Group Board approved the facility of Directors on March 30, 2022. It will act as a trust fund to direct funding and reduce the risk for cutting-edge circular economy company concepts beyond trash management. It will assist in incorporating the circular economy into African green growth initiatives through the nation-led African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA). During five years, the multi-donor trust fund will be operational. The Nordic Development Fund and the Finnish government will each contribute EURO 4 million to its initial funding.

Africa Waste Management Industry Overview

The Africa Waste Management Market is fairly fragmented in nature, and highly price competitive. With several regional and International competitors including Averda, Enviroserv, Interwaste, WasteMart, Universal Recycling Company, Desco, and PETCO, the industry is fragmented. Several local businesses have been offering their clients a full range of cost-effective value-add services while building on the experience they obtained in Africa. Major firms are concentrating on creating cutting-edge methods for disposing of garbage in an environmentally sustainable way. Africa requires competent waste management companies that adhere to legal regulations and efficiently handle trash problems.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support

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