NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 3 – Kenya is preparing to host its first-ever Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Innovation Summit as the country grapples with a mounting e-waste crisis, with more than 80,000 tons generated annually but only a fraction recycled.
The summit, scheduled for September 16–18 at Strathmore Business School, will bring together Kenyan and German experts, businesses, and policymakers to seek practical solutions for the fast-growing waste stream.
The event will open with showcases on informal recycling models and lithium-ion battery reuse, alongside pitches from Kenyan and German companies. A winner will also be announced in a competition for Kenyan recyclers using a German recycling machine.
Subsequent sessions will feature closed-door workshops on e-waste collection, SME capacity-building, scalable business models, and recycling technologies.
Despite Kenya’s growing electronics market, only two licensed facilities recycle small amounts—240 and 135 tons annually—while the majority of waste is handled by informal collectors or discarded improperly.
The introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in 2024 made Kenya the first country in East Africa to legally require manufacturers to take responsibility for the full lifecycle of their products.
Officials say the new framework could expand take-back schemes, boost investment in recycling infrastructure, and strengthen Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), while positioning e-waste as a cornerstone of the circular economy.
Key speakers at the summit include representatives from the German Embassy, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the ICT Authority, and AHK Services Eastern Africa, which is coordinating the program.
