In a strategic move to advance the implementation of the circular economy in Nigeria, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has finalised plans to launch a digital marketplace for waste transactions.
The platform, Waste Marketplace Nigeria is a collaborative initiative between NESREA and Recyclestack aimed at digitising Nigeria’s waste economy. The circular economy model is operational in Nigeria through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, which holds producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products.
The EPR programme is currently active in sectors such as food and beverages, batteries, used tyres, and electrical and electronic products. Within this ecosystem, Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), recyclers, and waste collectors play crucial roles in ensuring that waste is managed sustainably across the value chain.
Through Waste Marketplace Nigeria, NESREA aims to promote digital inclusion and job creation, particularly for actors in the informal sector. The platform is expected to significantly boost material recovery, curb illegal dumping and increase the national recycling rate.
According to a statement by NESREA’s assistant director of press, Nwamaka Ejiofor the initiative aims to onboard at least 10,000 verified users within the first four months of its launch. It will also serve as a valuable data-mining resource, helping to strengthen environmental compliance and enforcement mechanisms. The project will initially launch in Lagos and Abuja before expanding to other major cities nationwide.
Speaking on the initiative, NESREA director-general, Prof. Innocent Barikor described it as a transformative step toward a regulated, digitised waste economy. “This initiative will formalize the waste sector, drive inclusive green job creation, attract investments, and reinforce our environmental compliance agenda. It is aligned with Nigeria’s national development goals and could serve as a model for other African nations,” he said.
