How waste could create jobs and growth

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In Uganda, the waste crisis is not measured in billions of tonnes. It is seen in everyday life, after a heavy rain when drainage channels overflow, in neighbourhoods where garbage piles up, and in the quiet work of people who sort through waste to earn a living.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, waste is growing faster than anywhere else in the world. By 2050, the region’s waste is expected to increase by about 124%, more than doubling in just a few decades.

At the same time, the systems to manage that waste are still developing. On average, only about 31% of waste in the region is collected. That means nearly seven out of every ten bags of waste are never formally handled. They are burnt, buried, or left in the open.

This is becoming a defining challenge. Waste volumes in the region are expected to more than double by 2050, according to the World Bank’s What a Waste 3.0, even as collection systems remain among the least developed globally.

In Uganda, this reality is visible in urban areas like Kampala, where rapid population growth has outpaced infrastructure. As more people move into cities, more waste is generated, but collection systems have not expanded at the same speed.

Much of Uganda’s waste is organic, food scraps, plant material, and other biodegradable items. In simple terms, this is waste that could be turned into compost and used in agriculture. But without the right systems, it often ends up rotting in open dumps, releasing methane and contributing to pollution.

There is also an invisible workforce holding the system together. Informal waste collectors and recyclers recover materials like plastics and metals, helping reduce the amount of waste that ends up in dumpsites. Yet they often work without protection, recognition, or stable income.

The consequences of weak waste systems go beyond the environment. Blocked drainage channels increase flooding, poor waste management contributes to disease, and over time, these issues affect productivity, tourism, and overall economic growth.

Globally, the cost of managing waste is high, but for countries like Uganda, the cost of not managing it properly may be even higher. Low-income countries may need to invest up to 0.8% of their GDP [gross domestic product] just to build basic waste systems, yet many spend far less.

For Uganda, waste is not just a sanitation issue; it is an economic and development challenge, but which is also an opportunity. With the right investment, waste could create jobs, support agriculture through composting, and even contribute to climate solutions.