The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is set to launch a groundbreaking digital marketplace for waste transactions, aiming to transform Nigeria’s waste management sector and accelerate the shift to a circular economy.
The new platform, called Waste Marketplace Nigeria, is being developed in partnership with technology company Recyclestack. The initiative is designed to digitize waste transactions, streamline the recycling value chain, and create new economic opportunities, especially for informal sector workers who play a crucial role in Nigeria’s waste ecosystem.
The Waste Marketplace Nigeria platform will connect producers, recyclers, waste collectors, and other stakeholders, enabling them to buy, sell, and manage waste materials more efficiently. The platform supports the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, which requires producers to take responsibility for their products from creation to disposal. This programme is already active in sectors such as food and beverages, batteries, used tyres, and electronics.
NESREA aims to onboard at least 10,000 verified users within the first four months of launch. The project will kick off in Lagos and Abuja, with plans to expand to other major cities across Nigeria in a phased rollout.
Benefits for Nigeria
Digital Inclusion & Job Creation: The platform is expected to create new green jobs and promote digital inclusion, particularly for informal waste workers.
Boosting Recycling Rates: By making waste transactions more transparent and efficient, the initiative will help increase material recovery and recycling rates nationwide.
Environmental Compliance: NESREA will use the platform as a data mining tool to strengthen enforcement of environmental standards and reduce illegal dumping.
Investment and Growth: The digital marketplace is designed to formalize the sector, attract investment, and align Nigeria with global best practices in waste management and sustainability.
Professor Innocent Barikor, Director-General of NESREA, described the initiative as “a transformative opportunity to digitize Nigeria’s waste economy while enabling regulation, accountability, and economic empowerment.” He noted that the project supports Nigeria’s national development goals and could serve as a model for other African countries looking to modernize their waste management systems.
