Transforming Abuja: Innovative waste management solutions

Recognising waste management as a key priority, AMAC's strategic action plan highlights the sector's challenges, particularly pertaining to the governance structure, which were identified through a rapid assessment conducted between December 2022 and April 2023 by CoM SSA and the African Centre for Cities (ACC). This subsequently identified a potential focus for the Abuja Local Adaptation Booster (LAB). In April 2023, CoM SSA, organised a dedicated workshop with AMAC, academics, government agencies, and waste sector professionals in Abuja for the first time, to determine a more precise focus for the waste-themed LAB. During the session, the LAB framework developed by CoM SSA and ACC was shared, and its applicability in Abuja was discussed, soliciting feedback to improve SEACAP actions and prioritising potential focus areas.

 

After deliberation, it was clear that there needs to be an emphasis on developing a robust governance framework for waste management in Abuja through a one-year Urban Lab which is a structured process for bringing together different stakeholders to co-produce and utilise knowledge aimed at addressing the governance framework. This initial focus will subsequently transition towards generating comprehensive waste recovery and treatment facilities. Achieving this would require inter-agency coordination, improved policies and laws, increased community awareness, and investment in waste management infrastructure and equipment. This Urban Lab’s outcome will represent a significant step towards sustainable waste management practices in Abuja.