(Ecofin Agency) - • Africa generates 2.5 million tons of e-waste annually, much of it handled informally.
• Toxic substances from poor recycling methods harm people and the environment.
• Turning e-waste into a formal industry could create jobs and recover valuable materials.

Africa is facing a fast-growing environmental and health threat: electronic waste. Often ignored by the public, the surge in old electronics—phones, computers, appliances, batteries, and more—is quietly building into a crisis. But according to a report by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), this problem could be transformed into a huge economic opportunity if managed properly.

Each year, Africa produces around 2.5 million tons of e-waste. On top of that, countries import large amounts of used electronics, many of which are actually broken and unusable. In Ghana alone, about 150,000 tons of foreign e-waste arrive annually—some through legal channels, others illegally. For comparison, the country generated only 52,000 tons domestically in 2019, most of which was collected and recycled informally by door-to-door scrap collectors.

The problem is not just the growing volume, but the toxic nature of this waste. E-waste contains dangerous substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium. Informal recycling methods, like open-air burning or acid washing, release these chemicals into the air, soil, and water. ACET warns that this also releases powerful greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide—and pollutants like dioxins and furans. Cooling devices such as fridges and air conditioners release hydrofluorocarbons, which are much more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide.

These emissions do not just pollute the planet—they hurt people directly. Informal e-waste workers face high risks of cancer, breathing issues, and nerve damage. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable.

Agbogbloshie, before it was demolished

Still, this informal sector is how most of Africa handles its e-waste. In places like Agbogbloshie in Ghana—before it was demolished in 2021—more than 6,000 people worked without any safety gear. In South Africa, the number of informal recyclers exceeds 10,000. These workers make a living from what others throw away, even if it endangers their health. The sector thrives because it is cheaper and more accessible than formal systems.

However, a few countries are trying to improve the situation. South Africa, Rwanda, and Egypt have started setting up structured recycling systems. South Africa, for example, offers financial incentives to support formal recyclers, though the informal sector still dominates overall.

Ironically, the materials inside e-waste are extremely valuable. Devices contain gold, silver, copper, and rare metals like palladium. In 2022, the world recovered about $28 billion worth of these metals through recycling—but nearly $63 billion worth went uncollected because of inefficient systems. According to ACET, copper, gold, and iron made up the biggest share of this lost value. As more electronics flood the market and devices become obsolete faster, the volume of e-waste could hit 82 million tons globally by 2030. Africa could benefit hugely if it formalizes its recycling systems.

Today, only 13 African countries have laws that deal specifically with e-waste. Some countries, like Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire, are slowly adopting extended producer responsibility rules, which require manufacturers to take charge of the waste their products create. But most of the continent still lacks strong enforcement, funding, or coordination between governments and international partners.

Global agreements like the Basel Convention and the Bamako Convention aim to regulate hazardous waste, but they are not always followed. The same goes for other frameworks like the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions, which target pollutants and mercury use. Africa’s Agenda 2063 also outlines steps to handle waste sustainably, but progress remains slow.

Experts believe that Africa’s best path forward is to build a circular e-waste economy—one that includes recycling, reuse, repair, and refurbishing. This would mean investing in recycling infrastructure, enforcing rules, supporting innovation, and including informal workers in safer, formalized systems.

E-waste does not have to be just a burden. If treated as a resource, it can fuel green industry, generate income, and help Africa move toward sustainable development. All it takes is the right mix of smart policy, investment, and international cooperation.