SADC experts meet in Arusha to address urban waste management crisis

Arusha. Experts from four Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries have convened in Arusha for a two-day meeting aimed at developing innovative solutions to manage the escalating waste crisis in urban areas.

The meeting, which began on Sunday, brings together specialists from Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania to explore research-based and technological approaches to address the growing environmental impact of waste production and disposal.

The primary objective is to create effective strategies for managing waste and preserving natural resources and biodiversity across the 16 SADC member states.

The Acting Principal of the College of African Wildlife Management ('Mweka'), Prof Alex Kisingo, highlighted the severe challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and population growth.

"Urban centres are facing a major waste crisis, driven by fast-growing populations and consumption patterns," he said. "This gathering of researchers and university lecturers from four countries aims to exchange knowledge and develop innovative waste management solutions."

The conference has also made strides in curriculum development to incorporate waste management and natural resource conservation into university programs across the region. Prof.

Kisingo confirmed that the curriculum has been finalised and accredited by regulatory bodies, including Tanzania's NACTE, and will be officially implemented in 2025.

The conference is part of the broader Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBRM) project, managed by the SADC Secretariat. Dr. George Wambura, the Natural Resources and Wildlife Program Coordinator at SADC, explained that the six-year project, valued at €4.9 million (over Sh13.9 billion), is designed to support research and foster innovation in waste management, particularly in urban areas.

"This project was launched after recognising the detrimental environmental effects of waste accumulation, including the loss of wildlife and deforestation," said Dr Wambura.

The project seeks to enhance community engagement in conservation efforts and develop better strategies for waste management. Mozambican researcher Mohamed Harun stressed the importance of involving local communities in resource management, which can shift perceptions about waste disposal.

"When communities understand the environmental impact of improper waste management, they are more likely to conserve natural resources like trees and protect water sources," Harun noted.

Dr Brian Halubanza from Zambia’s Mulungushi University warned that the unmanaged waste problem could have dire consequences for the SADC economy.

"Unaddressed waste accumulation threatens public health and water security, and could redirect resources away from economic development into disease control," he said.

He also pointed out the potential negative effects on the tourism industry, which relies on healthy ecosystems.

Statistics reveal that Tanzania generates over seven million tons of solid waste annually, yet only 35 percent of it is collected and properly disposed of.

The remaining waste piles up in streets and open spaces, leading to severe environmental and health risks, including disease outbreaks and the worsening effects of climate change.

The ongoing discussions aim to foster regional collaboration to tackle this pressing issue, with the goal of building sustainable urban environments that prioritise both waste management and biodiversity conservation.