Electronic waste (e-waste) management has become a major challenge facing many African countries because of lack of awareness, lack of environmental legislation and limited financial resources. Currently, e-waste in Africa is predominately disposed through open dumping, burning, and landfilling. With heavy metals and other hazardous substances present in electronics, these methods have serious implications for human health and the environment. However, some countries like Rwanda have made progress in managing e-waste.
Rwanda has a relatively advanced legal and regulatory framework for e-waste management compared to other countries in Africa. Moreover, it is the second in Africa to have a state-of-the-art e-waste dismantling and recycling facility after South Africa which operates through a unique public private partnership between the Government of Rwanda and Enviroserve. Therefore, ACE TAF recently documented Rwanda’s experience in the implementation of the National Sanitation Policy (which incorporates E-Waste Policy) and E-Waste Regulations. The study identified best practices and challenges in implementing policy actions on solar e-waste and related regulations that can also be considered for use in other countries across the continent. At the same time, ACE TAF worked with the Government of Nigeria (GoN) through the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to develop a guide for government and private sector on managing solar e-waste. The Rural Electrification Agency in Nigeria is also actively implementing e-waste measures in its off-grid solar projects.
To share the emerging best practices, lessons learned and challenges in implementing e-waste policies for stand-alone solar from Rwanda, ACE TAF will be held a webinar on 24th June 2021 at 3.30pm East Africa Time /1.30pm West Africa Time. The webinar also featured experiences from Nigeria.