Zambia has launched a new initiative to promote green businesses and strengthen formal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling, with a focus on supporting young people, women, and people with disabilities. The project, launched by the Zambian government, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and Japan, aims to help entrepreneurs involved in e-waste collection and processing develop sustainable recycling businesses.
The initiative was introduced in Lusaka as Zambia works to address challenges in managing electronic waste. Despite regulations introduced in 2018 requiring producers to take responsibility for product disposal, a large share of e-waste continues to be handled outside formal recycling systems.
A 2025 survey cited by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency estimated that around 90% of Zambia’s electronic waste ends up in landfills, while awareness of the health and environmental risks linked to improper disposal remains limited. The project seeks to bring more informal operators into regulated recycling channels while creating employment opportunities in the growing green economy.
The initiative will support entrepreneurs by improving access to resources, strengthening recycling practices, and encouraging environmentally responsible business models. It also aligns with broader efforts across Africa to improve e-waste management, where formal collection and recycling rates remain among the lowest globally.
Several licensed recyclers are already operating in Zambia, particularly in Lusaka, and the new programme aims to build on existing efforts by expanding participation in the formal recycling sector. By supporting inclusive green businesses, the project hopes to recover valuable materials from electronic waste, reduce environmental pollution, and create new economic opportunities.
