AMCEN@40: Triumphs, Trials, and the Road Ahead for Africa’s Environmental Governance

 

In 1985, as global awareness of environmental degradation began to rise, African leaders came together to ensure the continent had a unified voice in shaping the environmental agenda. Four decades later, the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) is a testament to Africa’s enduring commitment to sustainability, even as it faces new challenges (UNEP, 2025).

The Twentieth Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-20) will be held from 14-18 July 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme “Four Decades of Environmental Action in Africa: Reflecting on the Past and Imagining the Future.” The session also marks the 40th anniversary of AMCEN (UNEP, 2025).

From a civil society perspective, we look back at the achievements and challenges of AMCEN since its founding in 1985 on environmental transformation across climate action, nature action, chemicals and pollution action, and land degradation, desertification, and drought Action.

Founding Mission

The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) was established in Cairo, Egypt in 1985 following the adoption of the Cairo Programme for African Cooperation. For 40 years, AMCEN has facilitated the broadening of the political and public policy debate regarding Africa’s environmental priorities and concerns. As the permanent forum of Africa’s environment ministers, AMCEN aims to strengthen cooperation between African governments on economic, technical and scientific activities to halt the degradation of Africa’s environment.

AMCEN’s mandate is to: provide information and advocacy for environmental protection in Africa; ensure that the basic human needs are met adequately and in a sustainable manner; ensure that socio-economic development is realised at all levels; and ensure that agricultural activities and practices meet the food security of the region.

But what have been the key achievements over the years, and what are the challenges haunting AMCEN’s progress?

Four Decades: Key AMCEN Accomplishments

Policy Coordination and Regional Agenda Setting

AMCEN has been instrumental in formulating and promoting regional environmental strategies. For example, it spearheaded the Action Plan for the Environment Initiative of NEPAD, adopted during the 9th Ordinary Session in Kampala in 2002 (UNEP, 2002). This provided a continent-wide framework to integrate environmental sustainability into development planning.

AMCEN also developed the African 10-Year Framework Programme on Sustainable Consumption and Production, aligning with global commitments under Agenda 21 (UNEP, 2013).

Furthermore, through the creation of the African Environment Outlook reports, AMCEN has raised national and global political discussion and prioritisation of environmental issues on the continent.

Unified Climate Change Advocacy

AMCEN has also led the formation of Africa’s common positions on climate change, particularly ahead of major UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties (COPs). The 13th Session in Bamako (2010) contributed to shaping Africa’s unified voice ahead of COP15 and COP16, reinforcing calls for adaptation finance and technology transfer (AMCEN, 2010). For example, the Cairo Declaration on Climate Change (2015), adopted during the 15th Session, reaffirmed Africa’s demand for equity in global climate negotiations and played a key role in shaping African positions at COP21 (AMCEN, 2015).

Mobilising International Partnerships and Resources

AMCEN has attracted support from UNEP, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and international donors. It played a role in launching initiatives like the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) and the African Adaptation Initiative (AAI), which mobilise climate finance and technology (African Union, 2016).

Strengthening Environmental Governance and Diplomacy

Regular AMCEN sessions have strengthened coordination among African environment ministries and enhanced technical and policy capacities. They have facilitated information sharing, South-South cooperation, and harmonisation of national legislation (UNEP, 2017). AMCEN sessions have also shaped and galvanised the African Common Position at global climate talks (for example, at the annual UNFCCC COPs).

Mainstreaming Environmental Concerns into Development

AMCEN has ensured that the environment is central to Africa’s development agenda, especially in aligning regional strategies with the AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (AMCEN, 2019).

The African Green Stimulus Programme (AGSP) is an innovative African-led initiative to support the Continent’s recovery response in a sustainable manner to the devastating socio-economic and environmental impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and to support the Continent’s longer-term sustainable development objectives. The AGSP was adopted by the African Environment Ministers at the 8th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in December 2020 and by African Heads of State at the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in February 2022 (AMCEN, 2022).

Enduring and Emerging Challenges

Implementation Gaps

Despite strong declarations, implementation at the national level remains weak. Many action plans lack follow-up, monitoring, or integration into national development policies due to limited institutional capacity (UNEP, 2018).

For example, Agenda 2063 identifies energy security as a continental priority. Yet, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face severe energy deficits, with over 600 million people lacking electricity and relying on biomass for cooking. With just a few years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, this trend questions the global political commitment to the future of Africa’s forest resources as global commons.

Funding Limitations

African countries often lack the financial resources needed to implement AMCEN’s decisions. Many AMCEN initiatives rely on external funding, making them vulnerable to donor priorities (AMCEN, 2022). While the Africa 2063 Agenda declares that Africa must take full responsibility for financing its development goals, the realisation of this goal and the development of Africa lie in effective public finance management, public debt management, and public investment.

However, the recent significant growth in debt load, almost one-third of Sub-Saharan African nations, spells a high danger of financial distress, including the majority of nations that benefited from debt relief in the 1990s (Xolani Thusi et. Al., 2024). For example, climate change is costing African economies up to 15% of GDP annually. In response, African Governments are diverting up to 9% of their budgets to cope with extreme weather (UNECA, 2025), while grappling with debt distress, facing difficult trade-offs between climate action and meeting critical development needs, such as health and education

Rapid Urbanisation in Africa

Rapid urbanisation in Africa presents both opportunities and challenges. By 2050, 60 per cent of Africa's population will live in urban areas, contributing significantly to GDP but also straining infrastructure and services, including the environment and natural resources.

Limited Legal Authority

AMCEN operates primarily as an advisory body. It lacks enforcement mechanisms to ensure member states comply with decisions, which undermines the consistency of action across the continent (UNEP, 2013).

Institutional and Political Coordination Challenges

Overall, AMCEN’s mandate is broad and its structure quite layered, making coordination and efficient action difficult. In addition, inconsistencies in national-level commitment, overlapping mandates with other institutions (AU, NEPAD), and a lack of continuity between sessions hinder AMCEN’s long-term effectiveness (AMCEN, 2023).

There are also capacity gaps, for example, many African countries lack regulatory frameworks and face technical barriers such as a lack of infrastructure and expertise in carbon project development. This is against the backdrop of the fact that Africa’s carbon markets are expected to see rapid expansion by 2025, driven by the continent’s expansive natural resources and ecosystems that can support both voluntary and compliance markets (Africa Carbon Trade Network, 2025).

External Pressures

Factors like political instability, economic crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, and conflict in several regions have diverted attention and resources away from environmental initiatives (UNEP, 2021). As long as civil and cross-border conflicts in biodiverse and mineral-rich regions of Africa, like Central  and Eastern Africa, persist, the environment and natural resources as a development bedrock will not receive the necessary due investment. This will put both the current and future generations in danger.

Worse still, Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change, with annual economic losses at $7 to $15 billion, and projected to rise to $50 billion a year by 2030 (UNECA, 2025). In order to meet its climate adaptation needs only, Africa will need an estimated USD 250 billion annually from 2020 to 2030 (Climate Policy Initiative, 2022).

As AMCEN enters its fifth decade, the question is not only whether it can respond to Africa’s environmental crises, but whether it can catalyse a new era of leadership, where action matches ambition. For that, political will, inclusive governance, and sustainable finance are not optional—they are urgent necessities.

Ten years after Paris, household biomass remains a critical challenge in Uganda and East Africa

 

Photo: Dialogue Earth

Ten years after the Paris Agreement, household energy in East Africa is undergoing a slow but crucial transformation. While progress has been made in expanding electricity access, the region still relies heavily on biomass—wood, charcoal, and crop waste—for cooking. In Uganda and across the region, this dependence is not just an environmental concern—it’s a pressing health, gender, human rights, and economic issue.

Biomass Dependency and the Burden on Women and Children

More than 95% of Ugandan households still rely on wood or charcoal for cooking (International Energy Agency [IEA], 2023). Overall, in Sub-Saharan Africa, over 80% of the population uses biomass as their primary cooking fuel (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2023).

This reliance has profound gender implications. In most households, women and girls bear the burden of firewood collection—walking long distances, often in unsafe areas, for up to 10 hours each week (Green Grants Fund, 2012). This reduces time for education and income-generating work and increases the risk of gender-based violence.

Exposure to smoke from open fires and inefficient stoves contributes to nearly 4 million premature deaths globally each year, with women and children disproportionately affected (WHO, 2023). Children under five are particularly vulnerable to pneumonia and other respiratory diseases, while pregnant women face increased risks of low birth weight and maternal complications (UNFCCC, 2023a).

The Institutional and Commercial Firewood Demand

The burden of biomass is not limited to households. In Uganda, schools, health facilities, and commercial enterprises such as restaurants, brick kilns, and agro-processors consume large volumes of firewood daily (IEA, 2023). This institutional demand places significant pressure on forests and drives up the price of firewood, making it increasingly unaffordable for poor rural households (HeartFeldt Foundation, 2024).

A survey by EcoStove Uganda found that firewood prices in some districts increased by over 40% between 2020 and 2024, partly due to bulk purchases by schools and hospitals (EcoStove Uganda, 2024). As firewood becomes a commercial commodity, low-income families are forced to travel further for collection, switch to more polluting alternatives, or reduce their food intake. This affects nutrition levels for children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.

Uganda’s Response: Clean Cooking Solutions and Gender Equity

Uganda is responding to this crisis with innovative programs focused on clean cooking:

• EcoStove Uganda has trained women entrepreneurs to distribute efficient stoves, helping households reduce wood use by up to 60% and saving over $800 annually on fuel (EcoStove Uganda, 2024).
• The Cookstove Project has installed over 28,000 improved stoves in rural Uganda, cutting smoke exposure and respiratory illness (Cookstove Project, 2024).
• The Uganda Biogas and Electric Cooking Project (UBEP), supported by the African Development Bank, will provide 77,000 electric cookers and install 47 institutional biogas systems in schools and health centres (AfDB, 2024).
• The Teso Women Briquettes Project trains women to make carbon-neutral briquettes from agricultural waste, reducing firewood dependence and offering new sources of income (UNFCCC, 2023b).

These programs not only reduce household air pollution but also lessen the firewood demand from institutions and commercial entities, easing market pressures and forest degradation.

Barriers and What’s Needed

Despite these successes, several barriers remain: cultural resistance, lack of affordability, and infrastructure challenges like poor electric grid access. The practice of “fuel stacking”, where families use both modern and traditional fuels, continues due to reliability concerns (WHO, 2023).

At current rates, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to account for the largest portion of the 1.8 billion people still without clean cooking solutions (International Renewable Energy Agency [IRENA], 2025), underscoring the urgent need for more targeted interventions in the region. But IEA and AfDB estimate that $4–8 billion annually is needed across Africa to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030 (IEA, 2023; AfDB, 2024). Without institutional adoption—especially in schools and commercial kitchens—household access alone will not be enough to control prices or emissions. 

Conclusion

Ten years after Paris, household biomass remains a critical challenge in Uganda and East Africa. It endangers health, fuels gender inequality, and accelerates deforestation. Importantly, the institutional and commercial consumption of firewood is now driving prices beyond what rural households can afford, making clean energy adoption both a social and economic imperative.

Programs in Uganda demonstrate what’s possible when clean cooking is linked with gender empowerment, institutional reform, and market transformation. But without stronger investment and systemic change, biomass will continue to limit the potential of women, children, and communities across the region.

References

• African Development Bank. (2024). Boosting clean cooking in Uganda. https://adf.afdb.org
• Cookstove Project. (2024). Uganda Clean Cooking Initiative. https://cookstoveproject.org/uganda
• EcoStove Uganda. (2024). EcoStove Impact. https://ecostoves.org/ecostove-impact
• Green Grants Fund. (2012). Ugandan women tackle climate change. https://www.greengrants.org
• HeartFeldt Foundation. (2024). Clean Cooking Uganda. https://heartfeldt.org/clean-cooking-uganda
• International Energy Agency. (2022). Africa Energy Outlook. https://www.iea.org
• International Energy Agency. (2023). Uganda 2023 country report. https://prod.iea.org
• International Renewable Energy Agency (2025). Tracking SDG7 I Progress towards Sustainable Energy. Chapter 2: Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking: chapter2_access_to_clean_fuels_and_technologies_for_cooking.pdf
• Monitor Uganda. (2024). Reliance on firewood is hurting women. https://www.monitor.co.ug
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (2023a). Women tackling rural poverty through energy efficiency. https://unfccc.int
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (2023b). Teso Women Charcoal Briquettes Project. https://unfccc.int
• World Health Organisation. (2023). Clean Household Energy Report. https://www.who.int

Restoring Hope: How East African Communities Are Fighting Desertification from the Ground Up

Watering cattle in Mwanza region in Tanzania
(Photo: Tanzania Coalition for Sustainable Development)

As the world’s population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the growing demand for nutritious food and clean water makes restoring degraded land not just a choice, but a necessity for survival.

This year’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, hosted by Colombia and led by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) under the theme “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities”, reminds us that healthy lands power jobs, food and water security, and resilient value chains.

According to UNCCD, every US$1 invested in land restoration generates a return of US$7 to US$30 through enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods. The economic case is clear. UNCCD estimates that nations must collectively invest US$1 billion per day by 2030 to restore some 1.5 billion hectares of land, ensuring human dignity and environmental resilience.

East Africa at the Frontline of Land Degradation

East Africa is facing intensifying challenges due to desertification and prolonged droughts. Countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and parts of Tanzania and Uganda are experiencing a deepening crisis as climate change accelerates the degradation of arable land and the depletion of water resources.

Desertification—driven by unsustainable land use, deforestation, and climate change—is turning once-productive land into barren, uninhabitable terrain. Repeated and prolonged droughts have made things worse. Between 2020 and 2023, East Africa experienced one of the worst droughts in four decades, affecting more than 20 million people (WFP, 2023). Crops failed, livestock died, and water sources dried up—pushing many communities to the brink of collapse.

Rising Food Insecurity and Social Strain

One of the most devastating consequences is rising food insecurity. As rainfall becomes erratic and planting seasons unreliable, farmers struggle to maintain yields. Pastoralists, who depend on seasonal grazing routes, are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain their herds. This fuels economic instability, heightens resource conflicts, and worsens existing vulnerabilities (FAO, 2023).

Community-Led Solutions: Resilience from the Ground Up

Despite these daunting challenges, communities across East Africa are stepping up with innovative, locally driven solutions that not only mitigate environmental degradation but also restore livelihoods and dignity.

• In northern Kenya, community conservancies manage rangelands through rotational grazing systems, allowing vegetation to regenerate naturally. Local water committees oversee the equitable maintenance and use of boreholes and water pans (Conservation International, 2021).
• In Ethiopia, community watershed restoration projects include terracing hillsides, planting drought-resistant vegetation, and building check dams. These initiatives, supported by local governments and NGOs, have improved soil fertility and water retention (World Bank, 2020).
• In Uganda and Tanzania, agroforestry is gaining momentum. Farmers are planting trees on farmlands and communal spaces to combat erosion, enhance biodiversity, and provide shade and fodder. Women-led nurseries are cultivating indigenous tree species, creating both environmental and economic value (ICRAF, 2021).
• In Somalia, village-based adaptation plans are taking root. Communities have established drought committees, received training in climate-smart agriculture, and begun alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping and poultry farming (FAO, 2023).
• Information-sharing technologies—such as community radio, mobile apps, and local networks—are delivering early warning systems and weather forecasts, helping people make informed decisions to reduce risk (UNOCHA, 2022).

A Call for Scaled Support

These grassroots efforts demonstrate that resilience is possible, even in the face of extreme environmental pressures. Communities are drawing on traditional knowledge, cooperation, and innovation to fight back against desertification and drought.

Yet these efforts cannot succeed alone. To sustain momentum and scale these solutions, governments, donors, and global stakeholders must invest consistently in community-led restoration. Doing so not only protects the environment but also promotes stability, dignity, and opportunity for millions across East Africa.

References Cited

·         Conservation International. (2021). Community conservancies in Kenya: A model for sustainable rangeland management. https://www.conservation.org

·         FAO. (2023). East Africa Drought Response Plan. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org

·         ICRAF. (2021). Agroforestry solutions in East Africa. World Agroforestry Centre. https://www.worldagroforestry.org

·         UNCCD. (2022). Desertification: The invisible frontline. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. https://www.unccd.int

·         UNOCHA. (2022). Drought early warning and response in the Horn of Africa. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. https://www.unocha.org

·         WFP. (2023). Hunger crisis in East Africa deepens as drought persists. World Food Programme. https://www.wfp.org

·         World Bank. (2020). Community-based watershed management in Ethiopia: Lessons and success stories. https://www.worldbank.org

Planning and Budgeting for Climate Action and Energy Access in Africa: A Commitment to the African Child

 

Photo: JEEP, 2022

As Africa marks the Day of the African Child (DAC) on June 16, 2025, this year's theme—"Planning and Budgeting for Children's Rights: Progress Since 2010"—calls on governments and partners to reflect deeply on promises made more than a decade ago. In 2010, the theme of the DAC was: "Planning and budgeting for children's rights: a collective responsibility". Therefore, it is a moment of reflection, given the diverse geopolitical changes and sustained or enhanced challenges facing children on the continent. It is also a timely reminder: children must be placed at the heart of national development, including in climate action and energy policy.

With over 40% of Africa’s population under the age of 15, decisions made today on energy systems and climate strategies will determine whether this generation grows up with opportunities or with growing inequalities and risks.

Climate Change and Energy Poverty: A Double Threat to Africa’s Children

From devastating floods in West Africa to prolonged droughts in the Horn, climate shocks are already disrupting schools, health systems, and food supply chains. These disruptions hit children hardest, compounding risks to their education, nutrition, and safety.

At the same time, nearly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity. In too many communities, children study by candlelight, vaccines spoil without refrigeration, and families cook using polluting fuels that harm respiratory health.

We cannot build a climate-resilient Africa without ensuring children have access to clean, reliable energy.

A Child-Centred Approach to Climate and Energy Planning

To secure a better future, climate action and energy investments must be inclusive, equity-driven, and rooted in the needs of children and youth. This begins with how we plan.

• Inclusive Planning: Governments should meaningfully engage youth, communities, and civil society in climate and energy policy design. Young Africans are already leading the way in climate activism—let’s put their voices at the centre.
• Smart Budgeting: Public budgets should reflect child-focused climate priorities—like solar energy in schools, clean water in clinics, and support for climate-smart agriculture. But many budgets remain fragmented or misaligned. Ministries of Finance, Planning, Environment, and Energy must collaborate to mainstream child-sensitive investments.
• Stronger International Support: Global climate finance mechanisms like Mission 300 that seek to prioritise African-led, child-sensitive initiatives. Development partners also have a role to play in building capacity for planning, allocating, and tracking funds.
• Better Data for Smarter Decisions: We need more detailed data on how climate and energy gaps impact children, especially across gender, geography, and income levels. Tools like climate budgeting and child-sensitive risk assessments should become standard practice.

Real Investments, Real Impact

Investments in off-grid solar, clean cooking technologies, and climate-smart education infrastructure can transform lives. They reduce emissions, protect health, and expand access to opportunity, while aligning with Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, in the third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) this year, African countries should update their respective plans with ambition to transform the lives of children for the better in the next five years.

A Call to Action

On this Day of the African Child, we are reminded that climate justice and energy access are not just environmental or economic issues—they are children's rights issues.

Let’s commit to planning and budgeting that places Africa’s children at the centre of a sustainable, inclusive transition. So that every child can learn, grow, and thrive in a safer, greener Africa.

Turning to Small Efforts for Large-scale Improvements Through Community-Based Solid Waste Management in East Africa

 

Collected plastic bottles for sale (Bwaise informal settlement, Kampala). Photo: Kimbowa Richard  

World Environment Day in 2025 will focus on ending plastic pollution. It joins the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution this year to mobilize communities worldwide to implement and advocate for solutions. World Environment Day will spotlight the growing scientific evidence on the impacts of plastic pollution and drive momentum to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastics use. It will also reinforce the global commitment made in 2022 to end plastic pollution through a global plastic pollution treaty.

In many East African cities, towns, and urban areas, waste is piling up. The rapid town growth and more people mean more trash to handle. Traditional waste systems can't keep up, leading to dirtier streets and health risks. But community-based waste management offers real hope. When local people take charge, they can turn waste into a tool for change. This article shows how community efforts work best, shares real stories, and gives tips for success across Africa.

The Role of Local Communities in Waste Reduction

Local communities are key to cutting down waste. When people understand how their actions impact the environment, they tend to do better. These initiatives raise awareness and encourage people to sort their trash. According to a UNEP report (2021) on waste management, communities that are involved show more success in reducing waste and cleaning their areas.

Community-led systems offer many rewards. Environmentally, they lower pollution and improve sanitation. Socially, they create jobs and build stronger ties among residents. People feel empowered when they help manage waste. Economically, communities save money and find new ways to make income. Small businesses selling recycled materials like plastic bottles, cans, and other products or compost are just a few examples.

Also, through the Project Kollekt initiative, End Plastic Pollution – Uganda, in partnership with the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and Break Free from Plastic, has established The Kollekt Village in Masuulita Town, Wakiso District as a center to demonstrate, promote, and mainstream zero waste model implementation in Local communities.

Obstacles to Community Engagement

Despite the benefits, challenges exist. Some people see waste as dirty or embarrassing, making them less likely to get involved. Lack of knowledge can also block progress. Plus, limited resources or infrastructure make it harder for communities to organize waste efforts. These hurdles require careful planning and support to overcome.

The Role of Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

Strong policies help community efforts grow. Local governments must create clear rules and offer incentives. For instance, some African cities now give tax breaks to people who start recycling programmes. Developing guidelines that support and protect community initiatives is vital. Good policies can turn small efforts into large-scale improvements.

Training and education are the backbone of successful waste management. Teaching residents how to sort waste or create compost boosts participation. Awareness campaigns can shift harmful habits. In Nigeria, the "Waste to Art" project uses creative recycling to teach children and adults alike. It’s a fun way to learn and reduce waste at the same time.

Community Needs: Infrastructure and Resources

Communities need proper tools to succeed. This includes collection points, composting sites, and recycling facilities. Collaborations with NGOs and private companies can help gather resources.

Take Nairobi, Kenya, for example. Their informal waste pickers are now included in formal waste systems, gaining access to better tools and recognition, boosting efficiency.

Strategies for Effective Community-Based Waste Management

Promoting Community Waste Collectives

Forming neighborhood waste groups boosts teamwork. These groups assign roles, such as collection or sorting, making waste management organized. In Kigali, Rwanda, residents formed groups that collect and recycle waste together. These collections build local pride and ensure consistent waste removal, as the informal waste pickers’ role is  recognized

Implementing Recycling and Composting Programs

Recycling and composting are powerful tools for waste reduction. Communities can set up small recycling hubs or promote household composting. Rewards or recognition help motivate people to join. For example, some villages in Ghana offer small prizes to families who compost or recycle regularly.

Leveraging Technology and Data

Smart technology can improve waste management. Mobile apps help residents report trash problems or schedule pickups. Mapping waste hot-spots locates trouble areas needing attention. Ghana’s MobiWaste app allows residents to report overflowing bins and track waste collection in real-time, leading to quicker solutions. 

 

Real-World Examples of Success

Case Study 1: EcoPack Initiative in South Africa

EcoPack produces biodegradable packaging from local materials. Their work cuts down plastic waste and creates jobs. Communities help sort waste streams, and EcoPack workers earn a fair wage. This project shows how innovation can turn waste into worthwhile products with community backing.

Case Study 2: WWF’s Plastic Smart Cities initiative – Da Chong part of Phu Quoc, a Vietnamese island off the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand

Da Chong, a small village of 1,485 people located in the northeastern part of the island next to a marine protected area. Like other remote areas on the island and across Southeast Asia, Da Chong residents did not have access to public waste collection. Waste generated by the community was either burned or thrown directly into the ocean, and thus a direct threat to the highly protected sea grass area.

WWF-Vietnam, together with local authorities hatched a pilot project that established a community-based waste management system, one that could prevent the community’s waste from polluting the coastal environment, an environment that not only supports the livelihoods of many Da Chong residents, from fishing to aquaculture, but also harbors many marine species, including the rare and vulnerable dugongs. The goal of the project was to establish a system in which solid waste would be segregated at the household level, valuable items would be utilized on-site, organic waste would be composted, and trash would be collected and transported to a treatment site by a public collection service 

Lessons from International Best Practices

In Colombia and India, community waste models work by combining local effort with supportive policies. They teach residents to sort waste, set up recycling hubs, and build awareness. African communities can learn from these approaches to improve their own waste systems.

What Stakeholders Can Do to Promote Community-Based Solid Waste Management

Policy Makers need to draft laws/bylaws that support and fund community waste projects. They also need to create incentives for entrepreneurship in recycling and composting.

Community Leaders need to gather residents, raise awareness, and foster a sense of ownership. Make waste management a shared goal.

NGOs and the Private Sector should offer training, infrastructure, and funding. This will help to turn waste into profit.

Citizens need to participate actively, guided by the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse,  and Recycle. This requires the separation of waste at source (home), joining local clean-ups, and encouraging others to do the same.

In conclusion, community involvement is the heart of effective waste management in East Africa. When local people take charge, proper policies, education, and infrastructure support their efforts. The stories shared here show that success is possible with teamwork and innovation. Everyone, from governments to residents, can work together to create cleaner, healthier cities. Building community-driven waste systems isn't just good for the environment — it’s good for everyone’s future.

References

·       United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). "Solid Waste Management in Africa: A Review." 2021.

·        UN-Habitat. ‘Community-Based Waste Management’. 2022.

·        Nairobi City County Government. "Integration of Informal Waste Pickers." 2023.

·        Ghana Environmental Agency. "MobiWaste: Connecting Communities for Better Waste Management." 2022.

·        South African Department of Environmental Affairs. "EcoPack Initiative." 2022.

·        Colombian Ministry of Environment. "Community Waste Programmes." 2020.

·        Indian Ministry of Rural Development. "Village Waste Management Models." 2019.