DAR ES SALAAM: African environmental stakeholders are deliberating in Dar es Salaam for better options for managing electronic waste and mercury usage, both of which remain significant environmental threats.
The stakeholders are exploring how electronic waste can now serve as a source of employment for young people across the continent.
Dr. Nkundwe Mwasaga, Director General of Tanzania’s Information and Communication Technology Commission, representing the Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, said Tanzania generates approximately 200,000 tons of electronic waste annually.
“We need a robust system to either recycle or safely dispose of this waste,” Dr. Mwasaga said during the African Nations Meeting on the Implementation of the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining Mercury Control Project (AEHPMP).
Dr. Mwasaga added that the electronic waste recycling initiative is prioritized to create income opportunities for young people. “This is an important conference where we are discussing ways to generate income through a sustainable waste recycling system,” he said.
Lilian Lukambuzi from the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) noted that the primary challenge is the rising amount of electronic waste due to increased usage of electronic devices.
“We updated our environmental policy and introduced new regulations in 2021 to address electronic waste challenges,” Lukambuzi said.
World Bank representative Jane Kibbassa noted that Tanzania has made significant progress in mercury control and is now preparing to secure funding for an electronic waste management project, similar to the support provided to other African nations through the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
This international conference, which began on November 4 and is expected to conclude on November 12, 2024, is taking place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dar es Salaam, bringing together experts to discuss sustainable solutions for hazardous chemicals and electronic waste, aiming to protect both environmental and human health.
