Africa lobby groups renew call to end ‘Waste Colonialism’

Environmental lobby groups have renewed calls for African governments to strengthen measures against illegal waste imports, warning that the continent continues to bear the burden of hazardous waste from wealthier nations under the guise of recycling.

In a joint statement issued to mark Africa Day 2026, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives GAIA and Break Free From Plastic BFFP Africa condemned what they termed as “waste colonialism”, involving the export of waste from high income countries to developing nations that are ill equipped to manage it safely.

The organisations said African countries were increasingly becoming dumping grounds for electronic waste, plastic waste, textile waste and hazardous chemicals originating from countries including the United States, Italy, Germany and Greece.

“We are witnessing our environments, our communities and our informal waste workers being forced to shoulder a burden that is not theirs,” the groups said.

They expressed concern over growing waste hotspots in cities such as Nairobi, Lagos and Accra, where large dumpsites reportedly contain toxic electronics, hazardous plastics and second hand clothing classified as waste.

The lobby groups noted that despite many shipments being labelled as recyclable materials, global recycling rates remain extremely low, with only nine per cent of plastic produced since the 1950s having ever been recycled.

The statement further warned that children working in toxic dumpsites continue to face exposure to dangerous chemicals and pollution, raising serious public health concerns.

The groups now want African governments to fully implement the Bamako Convention and push back against illegal waste imports, insisting that Africa should not continue carrying the environmental costs of waste generated elsewhere.

“Africa is not a dumping ground,” they said.

The Centre de Recherche et d’éducation pour le Développement CREPD Executive Director Gilbert Kuepouo faulted African countries for the slow implementation of the Bamako Convention, a regional treaty prohibiting the import of hazardous waste into Africa.

“Thirty five years after its adoption, the Bamako Convention counts only 30 ratifications and only three Conferences of Parties organised. It is a paradox for a region that deliberately designed this instrument to protect itself and its people against waste colonialism,” said Kuepouo.

Environmental activists also called for stronger enforcement of global and regional regulations governing plastic and hazardous waste.

Greenpeace Africa Pan African Plastic Project Lead Hellen Dena said stricter laws such as Extended Producer Responsibility EPR frameworks were necessary to hold manufacturers accountable for waste generated through their supply chains.

“To fix this, we need stronger laws and stricter supply chain regulations to ensure brands are held accountable from production to disposal,” she said.

Environmental Investigation Agency EIA plastics policy expert Justine Maillot urged European authorities to strictly enforce new European Union rules on plastic waste shipments to prevent exports from reaching African countries.

The organisations also called for stronger global action to address plastic overproduction as negotiations continue towards a global plastics treaty.

GAIA Global Policy Advisor Sirine Rached said plastic waste prevention must form part of the international response.

“Plastic waste prevention which begins with addressing plastic overproduction is critical,” Rached said.

Basel Action Network Founder Jim Puckett said Africa had already demonstrated leadership in rejecting waste trade and should now take a stronger stand against plastic pollution.

“Africa has led the way in saying no to waste trade. It is time to lead in saying no to plastic,” he said.

OPA News | One Planet Agency