Waste to Energy

The potential for waste-to-energy in Africa is immense. In 2018, the African Union set a goal for African cities to recycle at least 50% of the waste they generate by 2023. However, the reality today is starkly different. A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report from February 2023 indicated that while 70-80% of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Africa is recyclable, only 4% is currently being recycled.

Research, such as the paper “Potential of Waste to Energy in African Urban Areas” by Emmanuel Anosisye Mwangomo, projects that by 2025, Africa will generate 244 million tons of waste annually, with 167 million tons of that being collected. This presents a significant opportunity for energy recovery through waste incineration and landfill gas recovery, which could generate up to 2.2 million Terrajoules (TJ) and 529,813 TJ from waste generated, respectively.

Despite this potential, Africa has seen very limited WtE projects. A 2019 article from Africa Report highlighted that only one major waste-to-energy project had successfully started operations. CATA Energy, in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD, seeks to change this narrative by leveraging the expertise of our partners, including Pyro Carbon Energy, to address this gap and unlock the energy potential of waste across the continent.

Our vision aligns with Africa’s sustainable development goals, turning waste management challenges into a clean energy solution that powers African cities while reducing environmental impact. Through our combined efforts, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s green transition and the global fight against climate change.

CATA Energy is committed to realizing this vision and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for Africa