Circular Action, a leading organization focused on waste management, is undertaking a comprehensive study and pilot project to assess the potential benefits of a digital waste management solution in Southern Africa, starting with Angola and Mozambique.
The European Union Africa RISE (Reform for Investment and Sustainable Economies) program is funding this five-month study, which involves collaboration with the National Waste Agency (NWA) of Angola and AMOR Mozambique, where the pilot project will be carried out.
Thierry Sanders, Director of Circular Action, highlighted the transformative power of technology in waste management, particularly when tailored to the unique needs of countries with informal waste infrastructure. Sanders expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Angola and Mozambique to identify the most effective ways to move forward in addressing waste management challenges.
In Angola and Mozambique, like many developing countries, waste management poses significant difficulties due to cultural, economic, and urbanization factors, particularly in peripheral areas of cities. Both NWA and AMOR sought support from Africa RISE to develop a digital solution that would establish a solid waste market enabling transparent transactions between buyers and suppliers.
Drawing inspiration from successful digital waste management models in other regions, such as their KOLEKT waste management app projects in Brazil, Vietnam, Mexico, and Mozambique, the project aims to identify a suitable digital waste management solution for Angola and Mozambique. The pilot app model will facilitate waste management in each country by connecting various stakeholders along the recycling value chain.
The study will address key challenges in the current waste management systems, including lack of transparency in transactions, limited pricing information, inadequate matching of supply and demand, high levels of informality, and missed opportunities for marginalized groups. By implementing a digital solution, the study aims to monitor solid waste throughout its value chain—from production to disposal and recycling—while incorporating traceability, payment, and certification systems to support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. Once established, the app will foster a sustainable and greener waste management system where market forces dictate supply and demand.
Dr. Mihaela Balan, Deputy Team Leader of Africa RISE, expressed support for the project’s sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, offering waste management market players a safe space to trade freely and effectively implement EPR regulations.
The study commenced in March 2023 and is scheduled to conclude in June 2023, culminating in stakeholder workshops in Angola and Mozambique to share the findings and foster collaboration.