Key Points
- Waste-to-energy projects reduce waste volume and environmental impact.
- African cities use waste-to-energy to address growing waste challenges.
- WtE projects create jobs and generate sustainable power in urban areas.
Waste management is one of the most pressing issues affecting African cities, stemming from increased urbanization that leads to higher waste production. Waste-to-energy (WtE) solutions offer an eco-friendly and efficient approach to tackling health and sanitation challenges associated with waste accumulation while generating energy. Leading cities such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Lagos are actively developing WtE projects that recycle waste and drive economic development.
According to the UN Environment Programme, African cities generate approximately 125 million tons of waste annually. Waste management struggles to keep pace with population growth, leading to rising landfill demands and pollution, which pose public health risks. For instance, in Nairobi’s Dandora landfill, research shows a marked increase in respiratory diseases due to waste-related pollution. These conditions underscore the need for solutions like WtE, which can reduce landfill dependency and improve urban health outcomes.
What is waste-to-energy?
Waste-to-energy involves converting municipal solid waste into energy, such as heat or electricity, through processes including incineration, anaerobic digestion, and pyrolysis. Incineration, common in large-scale plants, burns waste to generate power. Another method, anaerobic digestion, decomposes organic waste in low-oxygen environments to produce biogas, which can be used for cooking and electricity generation. These technologies have proven effective globally, with facilities in Europe and Asia generating energy from waste while minimizing landfill use.
Two innovative case studies of urban WtE projects are the Kabwe Waste-to-Energy Plant in Kabwe, Zambia, and the WakaWaka solar panels in Kigali, Rwanda.
Africa’s first large-scale WtE plant, the Reppie Waste-to-Energy Plant in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, launched in 2018. Reppie processes 1,400 tons of waste daily—around 80% of Addis Ababa’s waste output—supplying power to approximately 30% of the city. This project represents a major environmental achievement, as confirmed by a recent report from the Ethiopian Electric Utility.
In Kenya, community efforts in areas like Kibera and Dandora have advanced biogas production. Local biogas plants break down organic waste to create affordable cooking fuel. According to UN-Habitat, these small-scale initiatives not only provide energy solutions for impoverished areas but also promote waste recycling.
Lagos, Nigeria, has also made notable progress in waste conversion, with biogas plants that turn organic market waste into electricity for nearby communities, reducing waste volume in the process. As noted by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, these projects create jobs and strengthen local energy security, positioning Lagos as the largest WtE hub in West Africa.
Benefits for society, economy, and environment
The benefits of waste-to-energy extend across environmental and economic spheres. WtE technology significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution compared to traditional landfill disposal. Economically, WtE projects create jobs in facility construction, operations, and waste collection. Additionally, cleaner urban environments attract investment and tourism, while lower healthcare costs contribute to the economic vitality of urban centers.
Despite its advantages, WtE faces technical, financial, and social obstacles in Africa. Establishing and maintaining WtE facilities is costly, and many African cities lack the capital and expertise needed to operate them. The International Renewable Energy Agency highlights that infrastructure limitations and policy inconsistencies hinder WtE expansion. Public resistance and pollution concerns can also affect project acceptance, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
The success of WtE projects in Africa depends on supportive government policies and incentives. South Africa has notable examples of successful public-private partnerships (PPPs) in WtE, where public funding combines with private investments to drive project implementation. Additionally, financial support from organisations like the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and green financing initiatives is vital for large-scale WtE development.
Future growth and potential of waste-to-energy in African cities
The future of WtE in Africa looks promising, with modular WtE plants and mobile biogas units emerging as innovative solutions for areas lacking centralised grids. Expanding WtE projects in African cities will require community awareness, supportive policies, and sustainable practices to reach their full potential.
Waste-to-energy goes beyond waste management, serving as a crucial element for sustainable urban development in Africa. With WtE, African cities can tackle environmental and economic challenges, creating cleaner, greener, and more economically vibrant urban areas. Realising the potential of WtE will require continued innovation, policy backing, and collaboration. With the right investments, WtE could become a leading source of sustainable power generation across the continent.
