The Lagos State government has announced a substantial €120 million ($132 million) investment from the Netherlands government to support a pioneering waste-to-energy project in Lagos, Nigeria. This collaborative effort involves the Lagos State government and the Dutch firm Harvest Waste Consortium and is focused on transforming a portion of Lagos’ daily waste output into a source of electricity.
The initiative will be centered around the Epe landfill site, which has been decommissioned, and is where Harvest Waste intends to process an impressive 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes of waste daily. This waste will be sourced from the estimated 13,000 to 14,000 tonnes that Lagos generates each day.
In an interview with Nairametrics, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, provided insights into this and other international partnerships that the state has formed to enhance its waste management strategies.
Wahab highlighted that a steady and guaranteed supply of waste is essential for the efficient generation of power by Harvest Waste. He confirmed that feasibility studies for the project have been concluded and that Harvest Waste is fully dedicated to the project’s fruition.
Further elaborating on Lagos State’s waste management initiatives, Wahab mentioned the state’s ongoing efforts to decommission several landfills, creating opportunities for new ventures with foreign entities such as the Jospong Group and Closing the Loop.
The Jospong Group, an Accra-based waste-to-wealth enterprise, is collaborating with Lagos to convert waste collected by private sector partnership (PSP) operators into valuable commodities, including compost fertilisers and recycled plastic bins. The group has established a local presence in Alausa, Lagos, and has already commissioned equipment, with operations expected to commence within the next six to seven months. The project is also contributing to local employment by hiring Nigerians.
The growing focus on sustainable waste management has opened up opportunities for innovative services that contribute to both environmental and economic benefits. With an increasing demand for responsible disposal and recycling, waste management services are evolving beyond simple trash collection.
Companies are now providing specialized services, such as junk removal, to ensure that waste is handled efficiently while also promoting recycling and resource recovery. This shift is encouraging businesses and communities alike to rethink how waste is processed, aiming for cleaner, greener cities.
Another significant partnership is with the Dutch company Closing the Loop, which will be responsible for managing electronic waste in Lagos. The company’s plans include establishing a local facility to process electronic waste, thereby reducing the need for export and enabling the repurposing of materials within the state.
Wahab also mentioned the decommissioning of major dumpsites such as Olusosun and Solous 1, 2, and 3 to pave the way for new landfills that will support these innovative projects.
Once these initiatives are fully operational, they are expected to drastically cut down the amount of waste sent to landfills, supporting Lagos’ sustainability objectives of converting waste into valuable resources. The Lagos State Government is aiming for a future where only 3% to 4% of the city’s waste is relegated to landfills, a significant leap towards environmental sustainability and efficient resource management.
