Building Bridges Strengthening Sub-Saharan Africas Waste Management and Finance through Informal Sector Engagement

As cities increasingly take in the role of driving climate action and sustainable transformation, urban waste management practices and systems will play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and urban vulnerability. Especially in the waste sector, cities face substantial challenges conceptualising and implementing waste management and collection systems. Waste management in SSA cities is mainly handled by private and informal operators, with a large portion of solid waste ending in landfills without prior sorting. Recognising the vital role of informal waste workers in service provision and sorting activities is a game-changer for effective waste management initiatives. In addition to the challenges of finding suitable waste management models, financing sources for solid waste collection and processing are limited and case studies difficult to find.
This networking event aims to connect stakeholders from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and beyond to showcase models and solutions for waste management system from cities in SSA. It will highlight the critical role of informal waste workers in urban waste ecosystems and explore models of engaging them. The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) and C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF) support cities in SSA in the development and financing of waste management approaches. Two case studies will be presented from Abuja (Abuja Urban Lab) and Accra (Solid Waste Separation and Composting Project) that share insights on the nexus of urban informality and sustainable waste management approaches. Abuja has successfully established a governance framework enhancing waste management operations in Abuja, Nigeria, through participatory methods, while Accra is developing operational and financing models for waste separation and composting that improve the livelihoods of informal waste workers while expanding coverage of the waste collection system and improving community health.
The event will thus address regional challenges in solid waste management and provide a critical platform for city officials, policymakers, industry experts, and informal waste workers to share best practices, establish partnerships, and enhance waste management by integrating the informal sector.