The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) joined governments and development partners to launch the Global Electronics Management Programme (GEM) in Manila earlier in the month.
The programme will support Botswana, Djibouti, eSwatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia and South Africa during the first phase.
Cambodia, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Peru, the Philippines, Türkiye and Viet Nam will also participate.
The Global Environment Facility is funding the programme, which is led by the United Nations (UN) Industrial Development Organisation in partnership with the AfDB, UN Development Programme and UN Environment Programme.
The initiative will address the entire electronics lifecycle, from resource-efficient production and longer product lifespans to repair, reuse, collection, material recovery and environmentally responsible recycling.
Participating countries will receive support to strengthen policies, regulations, financing and technology adoption while creating markets for circular electronics.
The world generated 62 million tonnes of electronic waste in 2022, but only 22.3% was formally collected and recycled using environmentally responsible methods. Electronic waste is projected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. “The transition to circular electronics requires systemic action that brings together countries, industry, finance, technology and knowledge,” UN Industrial Development Organisation Circular Economy and Green Industry Division Director Smail Alhilali said.
The programme will connect governments, businesses, financial institutions, civil society organisations, standards bodies, researchers and recycling companies.
A knowledge platform will allow participating countries to exchange information, share practical solutions and expand successful approaches across markets. “For the AfDB, GEM represents an opportunity to ensure that digital transformation and environmental sustainability advance together,” AfDB Senior Information and Communications Technology Specialist Henriette Christensen said.
Christensen said the Horn of Africa component would strengthen policies, develop markets and prepare future investment in circular electronics.
The AfDB will implement activities in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia, while the UN Environment Programme will oversee the Southern African component.
–AfDB/ChannelAfrica–
