Improving Solid Waste Management in African Cities

Project Summary:

The objective of this grant is to support decision-makers in African cities identify and implement sector policies, institutional reforms, and sustainable financing mechanisms to improve solid waste management across the entire waste management system. As urban populations grow in cities across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), solid waste management (SWM) is becoming increasingly challenging. Low-income countries in SSA face problems at nearly every level of the waste management value chain – from lack of proper infrastructure and inadequate collection system to financial and regulatory impediments. Without adequate collection or disposal options, garbage is typically burned or openly dumped.  Resulting in air pollution and contributing to global climate change, clogging waterways, attracting vermin, contributing to the spread of disease, damaging the environment, and negatively impacting quality of life, particularly for poor and vulnerable populations. Building on previous activities, which resulted in pipeline lending projects in Senegal and Mauritania, the program will engage an additional three countries in the region to collect municipal-level data on a number of key parameters, offer recommendations on different aspects of waste management, and develop case studies to share information between cities with similar challenges.  

This program will benefit from completed and ongoing activities supported by KGGTF in years 2 and 3.  It will expand on previous projects, as well as draw from policy notes based on Korea’s experience designing and implementing transformational waste management policies and technologies in the SWM sector.  The grant will benefit from previously funded capacity building for African officials who joined study tours and targeted workshops in Korea, taking this work to the next stage where investment opportunities can be mainstreamed to boost inclusive green growth in these cities.

List of Activities:

1. Assessing the municipal solid waste sector in two countries, providing policy recommendations, and strengthening the design of the solid waste management projects under preparation in three countries - Development in Client government or community's policy, concept, design or strategy
2. Report on “Municipal Solid Waste Management in Africa: Support for Decision-Makers in Implementing Effective SWM” - Development in Client government or community's policy, concept, or strategy 
3. Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination - Knowledge Facilitation of exchange of best practice Fostering, Capacity building Workshops or study tours 

Outcomes:

Output 1:

• Assessment reports 

Output 2:

• Assessment report

Output 3:

• Capacity building Workshops or study tours organized

Outcomes:

• Improve efficiency through analysis of existing SWM practices and provision of recommendations to promote smart investment in SWM infrastructure and human capacity. Gains in efficiency will also be accomplished indirectly by developing capacity among local-level officials based a green growth approach to SWM with the expectation they will integrate sustainable waste management mechanisms into their existing SWM systems (e.g., where appropriate, integrating private sector participation or climate finance into projects). The TA will also provide assessments of the needs of specific cities based on a global understanding of SWM practices that may lead to further WBG/outside investment in appropriate infrastructure and equipment to improve the overall SWM system. 
• Greater resilience through provision of recommendations and case studies/lessons to local level officials that can be used as models in developing sound and sustainable waste management systems – for example, sustainable waste management improves urban resilience by keeping waste from clogging drainage pipes and flooding. Good SWM also has implications for social resilience, as it improves the conditions of poor and vulnerable populations and increases inclusiveness through community engagement. 
• Increased competitiveness through improving SWM, which can have direct impacts on air/water quality, overall public health, and the ability of a city to attract tourism and investment by companies. Improved SWM can also provide new jobs in the sector at every level – from low-skill street sweepers to machine operators to managers. Furthermore, adequate SWM bolsters environmental health, public health, and economic stability of a city because there are fewer sick days due to environmental hazards presented by waste.

Collaboration with K-Partners and Others:

• Korean Environmental Institute (KEI) – Relevant policy experiences in Korea based on previous experiences with KEI                   
• Korean Environmental Corporation (KECO) – Use of KECO experts for capacity building for solid waste managers on specific topics such as landfill management based on previous experiences with KECO                   
• International Solid Waste Association (ISWA will offer technical assistance)
• University of Ontario