The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, has called for urgent and coordinated action to tackle the growing e-waste crisis in Africa.
While speaking at the 7th East African Communication Organisation (EACO) Regional Conference on Sustainable E-Waste Management in Nairobi Monday, the CS emphasised the need for strong policies, regional cooperation, and private-sector involvement in addressing the challenge.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Information Communication Technology (ICT) and the Digital Economy Eng.
John Tanui, Kabogo painted a grim picture of e-waste in Africa, citing global statistics that showed the continent lags behind in formal e-waste management. "According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, only one per cent of e-waste in Africa is formally collected and recycled, which is unacceptable, and we must change it," he stated, adding that e-waste is a growing threat to Africa.
