Abuja is exploring waste-to-energy technology as a dual solution to the Nigerian capital's mounting sanitation problems and chronic electricity shortages, a strategy that could become a model for other cities across Africa's most populous nation.
The proposal comes as Abuja, home to more than 3 million people, struggles with inadequate waste management infrastructure that leaves garbage piling up in neighborhoods while residents endure daily power outages that cripple businesses and households. Converting municipal waste into electricity could address both crises simultaneously.
Waste-to-energy plants use thermal treatment to convert garbage into power, reducing landfill volumes while generating electricity. The technology has gained traction in cities worldwide facing similar dual pressures, though implementation in Nigeria would require significant capital investment and technical expertise.
Nigeria's electricity crisis remains one of the country's most persistent development challenges. Despite being Africa's largest economy and top oil producer, the national grid frequently provides fewer than 4,000 megawatts to a population exceeding 200 million—a fraction of what South Africa generates for 60 million people.
The power deficit forces businesses to rely on diesel generators, inflating operating costs and undermining competitiveness. Households spend billions of naira annually on generators and fuel. A waste-to-energy plant in Abuja could add hundreds of megawatts to local supply while reducing the estimated 10,000 tons of waste the city generates daily.
Similar projects have launched with mixed success across Africa. Ethiopia's Reppie facility in Addis Ababa became Africa's first waste-to-energy plant in 2018, processing 1,400 tons of waste daily and generating 25 megawatts. However, South Africa's attempts have faced financing and regulatory hurdles.
In Nigeria, as across Africa's giants, challenges are real but entrepreneurial energy and cultural creativity drive progress. Abuja's waste-to-energy exploration comes amid broader infrastructure investment efforts, though corruption concerns and bureaucratic delays often slow project implementation.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration would need to secure funding—likely through public-private partnerships—and navigate Nigeria's complex regulatory environment. Technical capacity for operating advanced waste treatment facilities remains limited, requiring technology transfer and training programs.
Yet the potential benefits are substantial. Beyond electricity generation, waste-to-energy plants could create hundreds of jobs in collection, sorting, and facility operations. Reduced landfill dependence would free up land and decrease groundwater contamination risks. Improved sanitation would enhance public health in rapidly growing urban areas.
If successful, Abuja's model could spread to Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt—cities facing similar waste and power challenges. For a country where over 60% of the population is under 25, solving infrastructure deficits through innovative approaches becomes essential for economic growth and job creation.
