Circular Economy approaches for the electronics sector in Nigeria

Background

Nigeria is witnessing rapid information and communication technology transformation and is importing new, second-hand, and used electrical and electronic equipment. This rising sector is generating an ever-growing amount of electronic waste (e-waste) that is being collected and recycled unproperly and threatens the environment and the lives of informal workers.

The Nigerian government approved the National Environmental Regulations on the Electronics Sector in 2011, defining the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), but many difficulties still exist in practice. Challenges entail limited regulations enforcement, illegal trade of e-waste, the presence and dominance of the informal sector, outdated collection and recycling infrastructure, and insufficient financial schemes to tackle the e-waste issue.

Key Project Elements

This project supports the Nigerian government in developing a framework condition to implement a circular economy for electronics by influencing:

• The policy aspect: by laying the legal basis for EPR enforcement, setting timebound e-waste collection and recycling target for the EPR scheme, scoping and defining financial and physical responsibilities of stakeholders, as well as requirements on monitoring and reporting.
• The technical aspect: by developing the EPR database software and EPR levy calculation tool, conducting the e-waste collection and recycling pilot to understand the local treatment cost, and providing technical support to the producer responsibility organisation.
• The collaboration aspect: by systematically sharing knowledge and best practices and creating opportunities for stakeholders along the value chain to collaborate.

Key Achievements to Date

• Development of the Guidance Document for EPR implementation (2020) with technical support from UNEP and international stakeholders. The Guidance defines the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders and set up timebound targets for the effective implementation of the EPR scheme in Nigeria. 
• Amendment of existing National Environment Regulation for EEE (2022). The revised Regulation binds all manufacturers and importers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), e-waste collection centers, and recycling facilities to register with the EPRON, and prohibits the suboptimal treatment of e-waste. 
• Waste collecting and recycling pilots, in line with the new requirements of the Guidance for EPR implementation, to understand the local treatment cost for different EEE categories covered by the EPR system. 
• Development of the BlackBox software and establishment of a comprehensive database of producers and importers, for the management of producers' market share data and the calculation of EPR fees for different product categories. 
• Facilitation of a multi-stakeholder approach that stipulates stronger collaboration among government agencies, producers and importers, recyclers, and waste collectors, based on trust, knowledge sharing, and awareness.

“This project is different and thriving in the context of EPR implementation because it helped build synergy among public and private sector stakeholders. It was the first time we worked together effectively. It was a learning milestone for me.”

Ibukun Faluyi, Executive Secretary of EPRON

• Improvement of working conditions for informal workers in terms of safety and health and job security, through:
  • Microcredits, entrepreneurships, membership of associations/ cooperatives as well as via formal registration and access to social security. 
  • Distribution of 500 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to informal collectors.
  • 350 formal and informal collectors received training to improve their awareness and capacities to comply with the EHS requirement 

“The project helped us to expand our business and improve our business practices. Through project trainings, we learned how to identify electronic waste and sort it properly, separate valuable parts safely, all using the personal protective equipment distributed by the project.”

Osawaru Esther Joy, Supervisor at Obanijesu Logistics Collection Company

• Publication of the Report on Circular Economy for Electronics in Africa which provides an overview of the current state of Circularity in electronics in Africa, identifies key issues, and proposes a roadmap with recommendations for a more circular electronics value chain.

Press Releases and Stories

• Press Release (5 Jan 2023): Nigeria acts to fight growing e-waste epidemic (Click here to read the press release)
• Press Release (19 Jun 2019): Nigeria turns the tide on electronic waste (Click here to read the press release)
• Web story: Dark skies, bright future: overcoming Nigeria’s e-waste epidemic (Click here to read the web story)
• Good Practice Brief: Finding Solutions for Electronic Waste with the Private Sector and Multi-Stakeholders Engagement (Click here to read the Brief)

Videos

Past Events

>> Online training: “Promoting Circular Economy for electronics through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach”

The training was organized by UNEP in partnership with the WEEE Forum and Erion on the 14th and 15th of November 2022. It brought together UNEP, NRESEA, EPRON, WEEE Forum, the Italian producer responsibility organisation, ERION, and the International Telecommunication Union, as well as policymakers and producers from more than 10 African countries.

The first session of the training “An introduction to EPR for electronics and the development of EPR for electronics in Nigeria” focused on the key elements of an EPR scheme for electronics, the European experience, and the development of EPR for electronics in African countries, especially in Nigeria. The second session “PRO operation and the practices in Italy and Nigeria” focused on key elements of PRO operation and the Nigerian and Italian experience. Through interactive discussion, the training event also addressed the questions from African stakeholders on EPR implementation and PRO operation.

The event led conversations regarding the stimulation of EPR development across Africa and hopes to have established a basis to encourage the advancement of current and new PROs on the continent.

• Detailed agenda of the Event can be found here.

• The recordings (both English and French), presentations, the Q&A sheet and additional materials on this topic referred during the training event can be found here.