The Nigerian government has launched the National Waste Marketplace Programme, NWMP, a digital initiative aimed at promoting sustainable environmental management, economic prosperity, and a cleaner future for Nigerians.
The National Waste Marketplace is an innovative online platform designed to formalise Nigeria’s waste value chain by connecting waste generators, collectors, aggregators, recyclers, and end-users within a transparent and traceable system.
Speaking at the official unveiling of the NWMP in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal, said; “the platform would leverage technology to create economic linkages across the recycling ecosystem while enhancing environmental compliance, material recovery, and sustainable production and consumption patterns.”
“As we advance towards a circular economy, it is essential to recognise that environmental protection is not only a regulatory obligation but also a driver of innovation and green growth,” he stated.
“The National Waste Marketplace demonstrates how regulatory reform, private sector participation, and technological innovation can converge to deliver environmental and economic benefits.
“It will foster transparency in material flows, strengthen data availability for environmental planning, and improve investor confidence in Nigeria’s recycling industry,” Lawal said.
The Minister explained that the initiative aligns with the National Policy on Solid Waste Management, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, and the National Circular Economy Roadmap.
He noted that it also supports Nigeria’s commitments under global environmental frameworks, including the Basel Convention, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 and 13, which focus on responsible consumption, production, and climate action.
Lawal called on all stakeholders—government agencies, private sector players, recyclers, investors, civil society organisations, and young people—to take ownership of the initiative.
“By working together, we can build a more organised waste management system that promotes accountability, creates employment opportunities, and supports our national efforts towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment,” he said.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Professor Innocent Barikor, described the NWMP as a platform that would connect all key actors in the waste management value chain while ensuring traceability and accountability.
He reaffirmed NESREA’s commitment to providing the necessary regulatory framework, coordination, and enforcement to sustain the programme’s impact.
“As we launch the National Waste Marketplace Programme today, let it stand as a demonstration of what is possible when government, the private sector, and citizens unite under one purpose — to turn waste into wealth, protect our environment, and secure a cleaner and healthier Nigeria for future generations,” Barikor said.
The DG noted that beyond technology, the NWMP represents a vision of Nigeria where waste management drives innovation, youth empowerment, and green enterprise.
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He said that the programme aligns with the EPR framework implemented by NESREA, ensuring that producers, recyclers, collectors, and consumers play clearly defined roles in safeguarding the environment and conserving natural resources.
According to him, the NWMP will also create new economic opportunities by providing verified market linkages, improving traceability in recycling activities, and supporting the development of a regulated secondary materials market.
“Through this initiative, we aim to train and certify thousands of Nigerian youths and micro-enterprises in circular business models, thereby creating decent green jobs and stimulating sustainable growth,” he said.
On his part, Mr Nkem Orakwe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Recycle Stack Limited, said the platform was set to transform Nigeria’s waste management landscape by introducing a digitised national waste marketplace.
He explained that the initiative seeks to empower 10 million Nigerians by 2035 through training, certification, and integration into a formalised circular economy.
“Waste is becoming wealth, and that is why we are introducing this programme. The initiative intends to revolutionise Nigeria’s waste management ecosystem through a digitised national waste marketplace by enabling skills training, certification, and data-driven insights.
“The platform seeks to formalise and scale the circular economy with a vision to empower 10 million Nigerians by 2035. This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, promoting green jobs, sustainable urban development, and environmental stewardship across the country,” Orakwe added.
