E-waste is one of Kenya's fastest-growing waste streams, and the private sector plays a key role in addressing it.
AHK Eastern Africa - Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa launched the new Baeline Study on the WEEE Value Chain in Kenya at Hyatt Place & Hyatt House Nairobi Westlands. The study, commissioned by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection BMUKN through AHK Eastern Africa under the framework of the Export Initiative Environmental Protection, maps out current actors, challenges, and business opportunities in the sector.
Some facts from the study:
- Kenya generates an estimated 88,000 tonnes 𝐨𝐟 𝐞-𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 per year.
- Small electronics like phones and laptops are the fastest-growing fraction.
- Most recycling still happens informally — with significant risks to health and the environment, but also with clear opportunities for value chain efficiency.
The room brought together recyclers, producers, tech firms, and sector authorities, including National Environment Management Authority - KE (NEMA), the Communications Authority of Kenya, and the ICT Authority. The discussion confirmed that there is strong private sector interest, and practical business models for e-waste management are taking shape — but scaling them up and linking formal and informal structures remains the next step.
📄 You can access the full study here: https://lnkd.in/dDcgGWfb
Thanks to everyone who joined, contributed, and challenged assumptions. Looking forward to the next: the WEEE Innovation Summit on 16 to 18 September 2025.