The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency has announced plans to launch a digital marketplace for waste transactions.

NESREA spokeswoman Nwamaka Ejiofor stated on Monday that this was in keeping with the implementation of the circular economy in Nigeria.

She stated that the Waste Marketplace Nigeria platform was a collaboration between NESREA and Recyclestack aimed at digitising the circular economy in Nigeria.

Ms Ejiofor explained that the circular economy is operationalised in Nigeria under the Extended Producer Responsibility Programme, which extends the responsibility of a producer throughout the lifecycle of the product.

“EPR is operational in sectors such as food and beverages, batteries, used tyres, and electrical electronics, with producer responsibility organisations, recyclers, and collectors playing key roles along the value chain.

“Through the Waste Marketplace Nigeria platform, NESREA plans to enhance digital inclusion and job creation for the informal sector, boost material recovery, reduce illegal dumping and increase the rate of recycling.

“The platform targets onboarding at least 10,000 verified users within the first four months and serving as a data mining source in the waste management. With this, it will strengthen compliance and enforcement of environmental standards,” she said in a statement.

Ms Ejiofor said the project would commence in Lagos and Abuja, with a subsequent rollout in major cities across the country.

Innocent Barikor, the director-general of NESREA, said that the waste marketplace in Nigeria would provide a transformative opportunity to digitise Nigeria’s waste economy while enabling regulation, accountability, and economic empowerment.

“It is also consistent with our focus on addressing environmental concerns through innovative solutions and partnerships.

“This joint initiative between NESREA and Recyclestack is well-positioned to formalise the sector, create inclusive green jobs, drive investments and ensure environmental compliance.

“It is also in line with national development goals and will serve as a model for other African countries,” he said. 

(NAN)