Kenya Opens First National E-Waste Recycling Plant in Nairobi

Kenya has opened its first large-scale electronic waste recycling facility in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, capable of processing 10,000 tonnes of e-waste annually. Funded by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the EU, the Ksh1.8 billion plant recovers copper, gold, and rare earth metals from discarded phones, computers, and appliances. Over 50,000 tonnes of e-waste are generated in Kenya yearly, mostly dumped or burned. The facility creates 200 green jobs and partners with Safaricom, Samsung, and universities for collection drives. Kenya is now drafting an E-Waste Management Regulation to enforce producer responsibility and formalize the informal recycling sector.