Nine African countries are among 16 participating in a $60 million international programme designed to reduce electronic waste and build more circular electronics industries.
The Global Electronics Management (GEM) Programme, funded by the Global Environment Facility, was launched in Manila on 7 October 2026. It is led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the African Development Bank, UNDP and UNEP.
The African participants are Botswana, Djibouti, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia and South Africa, according to UNIDO’s announcement.
Keeping valuable materials in use
The programme will support measures across the electronics lifecycle, including cleaner production, longer product lifetimes, repair, reuse, recycling and responsible recovery of materials. It will also help participating countries strengthen relevant policies, improve access to technology and finance, and develop partnerships involving businesses, public institutions and recyclers.
The challenge is substantial. UNIDO cites the Global E-waste Monitor’s estimate that the world generated 62 million tonnes of electronic waste in 2022, of which only 22.3% was documented as formally collected and recycled in an environmentally sound manner.
Industrial opportunity alongside environmental protection
For African economies, circular electronics presents a potential intersection of environmental management, technology services and industrial development. Repair and reuse can extend product lifetimes, while formal recovery and recycling systems can create business opportunities and reduce unsafe disposal practices.
The African Development Bank’s role includes a Horn of Africa initiative intended to strengthen policies, support market development and prepare conditions for investment in circular electronics solutions.
The $60 million figure is the global programme envelope across all 16 participating countries; it should not be interpreted as funding allocated exclusively to Africa. The partners have not provided a complete country-by-country allocation in the cited announcement.
Sources: UNIDO, 14 October 2026; African Development Bank, 16 October 2026.
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