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The 7th Regional Awareness Conference was attended by over 300 participants from the seven East African countries namely; Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda with key dignitaries in the region, namely; Dr. Ally Simba - Executive Director of EACO, Mr. Emmanuel Ndorimana - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Burundi, Mr. Mamo B Mamo, EBS, Director General, of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Mr. Stanley Kamanguya, OGW-Chief Executive Officer, ICT Authority, Mr. David Mugonyi, EBS - Director General/CEO Communications Authority of Kenya, Ms. Mary Mungai, CBS - Chairperson of the Board, Communications Authority of Kenya, Eng. John Tanui, MBS, Principal Secretary - State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy, Ministry of Information, Communications & the Digital Economy, Hon. Allan Chesang - Chair, Senate ICT Committee, Republic of Kenya, Hon. Tony Ayoo - Chair, Parliament ICT Committee, Republic of Uganda, Hon. Abigaba Cuthbert - Member of Parliament, Republic of Uganda, Dr. Kennedy Okong'o - Telecommunications Advisor, East Africa Community, and Chief Guest, Prof. Edward Kisiang'ani, Ph.D., CBS - Principal Secretary, State Department for Broadcasting & Telecommunications, Ministry of Information, Communications & the Digital Economy. We were privileged to host distinguished participants from the International Partners in Europe-Germany and Switzerland-and Asia-India and Thailand.
Throughout the conference, the attendees in the region have examined the progress made in policy development, the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and innovations in e-waste recycling. On site visits to e-waste facilities, namely, NGARA/NYAYO MARKET, WEEE CENTRE - KENYA, ENVIROSERVE, KENYA, provided a firsthand look at practical solutions to the E-waste Management from collection, recycling, refurbishing and repairs.
The Members of the East African Community under the auspices of the East African Communications Organization met for three days and exchanged ideas and experiences in management of e-waste within the region and came up with the following 10-points Declaration arising from the conference: 1. Enhance percentage of e-waste being properly recycled in Africa. The conference aimed to strengthen cooperation, explore innovative solutions, and define a sustainable path forward for e-waste management in the region; 2. Build infrastructure for dismantling, proper disposal and recycling of e-waste; 3. Governments set up funding mechanisms for e-waste management; 4. Continue to harmonize policy and regulatory frameworks for e-waste management across East African countries; 5. Facilitate the movement of e-waste and the establishment of a regional e-waste recycling facility; 6. Facilitate data sharing and research to gain deeper insights into the e-waste challenge, develop effective solutions, and enhance statistics through standardized tracking and reporting methodologies; 7. The adoption of emerging technologies (AI and IoT) to enhance e-waste management; 8. Strengthen capacity building initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships and collaboration among key stakeholders; 9. Integrate the informal sector within a circular economy approach, recognizing its potential for economic growth and environmental sustainability; and 10. Establish and implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, embracing producer pays principle.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Edward Kisiang'ani, Ph.D., on his closing remarks, cautioned the audience and the entire region to take care of the water bodies in the region such as; Lake Victoria, Nile River and Indian Ocean not to dump any e-waste inside them, which can affect both aquatic life, humans and animals. For further readings, the Communique is being finalized and shall be found at: https://eaco.int/pages/conference-reports.
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