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Private Sector Consultation Workshop on the National Strategy on the Management of E-waste in The Gambia, 19 May 2022, Kololi, The Gambia


Background:
​​The Gambia is at a pivotal moment in developing a national strategy to manage waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), commonly referred to as e-waste. As the import, sale, and use of electronic devices rapidly ​expand, so does the volume of obsolete equipment, posing challenges to environmental sustainability, public health, and resource efficiency.

Recognizing the vital role of the private sector in addressing these challenges, the Government of The Gambia, with the support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), organized a dedicated consultation with industry actors. The workshop was hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, and aimed to build awareness, identify responsibilities, and explore business opportunities for the private sector in the e-waste value chain.

 This workshop provided an opportunity for private sector stakeholders, including producers, importers, retailers, recyclers, and service providers, to contribute to the national dialogue. The focus was on identifying effective approaches for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), strengthening partnerships, and creating a regulatory and operational framework that is inclusive, economically viable, and aligned with national development priorities.​


Objectives

​The private sector consultation workshop provided a forum for producers, importers, retailers, recyclers, and other private stakeholders to contribute to the development of The Gambia’s National E-waste Management Strategy. The key objectives of the workshop were to:

  • Engage private sector stakeholders involved in the sale, use, and management of EEE and e-waste on the current e-waste situation in The Gambia.
  • Introduce the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and discuss its policy rationale, system design, and potential to unlock business opportunities.
  • Identify industry best practices and discuss potential financing mechanisms, institutional roles, and barriers that may hinder effective implementation.
  • Explore strategies for enhancing cooperation between public and private stakeholders in managing end-of-life electrical and electronic products.
  • Collect actionable input from private sector representatives to inform the design and implementation of the national strategy for e-waste management