E-Waste and the Circular Economy in Africa

Africa has experienced remarkable growth in the ICT sector over the past decade. Telecommunications services and technological innovation now account for approximately 5.7% of the GDP of the entire sub-Saharan African region. In Côte d'Ivoire, the number of mobile phone subscribers, which stood at 2.3 million in 2005, rose to more than 25 million in 2015, underscoring the sector's rapid growth. An additional factor driving the growth in consumption of electrical and electronic equipment on the continent is the gradual rise of a middle class with purchasing power and a desire for better living conditions. However, the dark side of this booming digital economy lies in the waste generated by this technological revolution, which seriously harms the environment and human health due to its inappropriate and informal management in most developing countries. Like developed countries, African nations must equip themselves with the necessary resources to address e-waste and manage it in a smart and environmentally friendly manner.

Pagina's: 60, Paperback, Our Knowledge Publishing