The Pan-African Manufacturers Association, PAMA has urged African governments to prioritise recycling in their countries.
This is coming amid the ongoing trend of plastic bans across Africa, including Nigeria’s phased ban on single-use plastics in Federal Government offices.
Speaking via a position paper titled “Africa’s Race to Plastic Ban: An Environmental Necessity or Threat to Local Manufacturing?” PAMA revealed that the current wave of bans will only endanger local industries, especially small and medium-scale manufacturers.
The Pan-African Manufacturers say that even if they understand the environmental issues fuelling these policies, the pace of the bans clearly puts African manufacturers at risk.
According to the association, Kenya’s 2017 ban on plastic bags and Rwanda’s restrictions before that are good examples of poorly planned transitions that led to several business shutdowns and increased unemployment, and Africa cannot afford to repeat such mistakes.
“While we understand the environmental concerns driving these policies, the pace and scope of bans are putting African manufacturers at risk.
Dozens of plastic producers in Kenya shut down overnight, without compensation or retraining support.
The ban on SUPs, without viable, affordable alternatives, has created uncertainty across manufacturing value chains. This could result in factory closures, job losses, and capital flight,” it read.
Rather than blanket bans, PAMA is of the opinion that African policymakers should invest in recycling infrastructure, incentivise biodegradable alternatives, and unite regulations across borders.
The association wants the continent to know that recycling is not just environmentalism, it is industrial policy, employment opportunity, and regional integration rolled into one.
“Africa must treat plastic waste not just as an environmental hazard but as a resource that can fuel new industries, jobs, and income.
Recycling is not just environmentalism. It is industrial policy, job creation, and regional integration rolled into one.
Environmental protection and industrial growth are not mutually exclusive. Africa can lead a green industrial revolution, but only with the right policy mix,” it added.
