The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has announced plans to launch a digital waste marketplace to streamline waste transactions across Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, the platform—dubbed Waste Marketplace Nigeria—is being developed in partnership with tech company Recyclestack. The initiative is designed to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy, where waste is minimized and materials are reused across industries.
Ejiofor explained that the Waste Marketplace Nigeria platform supports the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, which mandates producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products—from production to disposal.
She highlighted that the EPR is already active in key sectors, including food and beverages, batteries, used tyres, and electrical and electronic equipment. In these sectors, Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), recyclers, and waste collectors all play key roles in material recovery and reuse.
“Through the Waste Marketplace Nigeria platform, NESREA aims to enhance digital inclusion, create green jobs, boost material recovery, reduce illegal dumping, and significantly increase Nigeria’s recycling rate,” she said.
Ejiofor added that the platform is expected to onboard at least 10,000 verified users within the first four months of its launch. It will also serve as a valuable data mining source for waste management analytics, helping to drive regulatory compliance and improve enforcement strategies.
The platform will first be rolled out in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria’s two major urban hubs, before expanding to other cities in a phased rollout.
Speaking on the initiative, Prof. Innocent Barikor, Director-General of NESREA, described the platform as a transformative innovation that could revolutionize waste management in Nigeria.
“The Waste Marketplace Nigeria will digitize the waste economy, improve transparency, strengthen regulation, and empower stakeholders—especially in the informal sector,” Barikor said.
He emphasized that the collaboration with Recyclestack aims to formalize the waste sector, attract investment, and align Nigeria with global best practices in environmental compliance and sustainability.
Barikor also noted that the initiative supports Nigeria’s National Development Goals and has the potential to serve as a model for other African countries seeking to modernize their waste management systems.
As Nigeria’s foremost environmental enforcement agency, NESREA plays a critical role in upholding national laws and standards relating to environmental protection. Its functions include:
With this new platform, NESREA is taking a bold step toward leveraging digital technology to address one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges—effective and sustainable waste management.
The launch date for the Waste Marketplace Nigeria is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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