Support for the improvement of solid waste management and the adoption of a circular economy model in Luanda Province, Angola

In Angola, Luanda Province is undergoing rapid population and urban growth. This is putting increasing pressure on essential services, including solid waste management. Increase in waste volumes, limited availability of suitable infrastructure, institutional fragmentation, and the low recovery rate of materials lead to significant environmental, health, and socio-economic impacts. 

Against this backdrop, improving governance of the sector, structuring the waste value chain, and promoting the circular economy are key levers for sustainably improving people’s quality of life, reducing pollution, and creating local economic opportunities.

The project to support the improvement of solid waste management and the adoption of a circular economy model in Luanda Province is one aspect of Angola’s waste management strategic framework, which is led by the Ministry of the Environment and the National Waste Agency (ANR), in line with the National Strategic Plan (PESGRU). It also contributes to the European Union’s priorities within the framework of the Global Gateway and the European Green Deal.

This waste-management optimisation project is based on four main areas of action shared by the four project partners. 

Strengthening the strategic and regulatory role of the National Waste Agency

The objective is to consolidate the political, strategic, and regulatory role of the National Waste Agency. To this end, Expertise France supports policy and regulatory frameworks and contributes to institutional and technical enhancement and to the improvement of planning, coordination, and monitoring tools.

Improving the operational efficiency of provincial and municipal plans

Expertise France and FIAP provide joint support to Luanda Province and its municipalities. In this way they help build the technical and organisational capacities of local authorities and improve collection system planning and implementation. Pilot projects will be developed at the local level to test, demonstrate, and replicate concrete solutions in waste collection, sorting, recycling, and recovery.

Mobilising private investment and developing infrastructure

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is leading actions to boost private-sector involvement and investment in waste-management infrastructure and the circular economy. It provides support for identifying and structuring bankable projects, encourages public-private partnerships, and backs the development of viable circular economy channels.

Integrating, formalising, and protecting workers in the waste sector

Camões supports the gradual formalisation of informal workers by improving their working conditions and facilitating their integration into structured value chains. Actions will be taken to promote decent employment, strengthen skills, and mainstream a strong gender perspective, in particular by supporting access by women and young people to economic opportunities in the sector.

This project’s methodology is based on close collaboration with the Angolan authorities and all local stakeholders, in particular the National Waste Agency, the provincial government of Luanda, municipalities, and all local actors, including in the private sector and civil society. 

To this end, a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform will be set up to strengthen consultation between national and local authorities, the private sector, CSOs, and technical partners. Finally, awareness-raising campaigns and participatory activities have been organised to provide information about proper sorting, recycling and reuse practices as well as to encourage citizen participation in the transition to sustainable waste management and a circular economy.

The project combines technical assistance, capacity-building, institutional support, and private investment support. By providing overall coordination, Expertise France is ensuring the consistency of actions and the monitoring of results.