Cross River, UNICEF partnership to turn 79,000 tonnes of waste into wealth, unlocking Nigeria’s circular economy

NIGERIA – Cross River State has launched a circular economy initiative with UNICEF to convert its 79,000 tonnes of annual waste into economic value, part of a broader Nigerian push that could transform the country’s 32 million tonnes of annual waste into a US$100 billion recycling industry by 2030.

The initiative trains youths in recycling, green entrepreneurship, forest monitoring, and sustainable plastic management.

Juliet Chiluwe, chief of field office for UNICEF Enugu, explained that the UN agency is supporting the state’s ministry of environment to place young people at the heart of climate action.

By investing in green entrepreneurship, she said, the program ensures children and youth inherit thriving forests, a cleaner environment, and the skills necessary to thrive in a changing global economy.

By the Numbers: Nigeria’s Waste-to-Wealth Potential

The economic opportunity is staggering. According to a report by Raw Materials 360, Nigeria generates approximately 32 million tonnes of waste annually.

By shifting from the linear “take-make-waste” model to regenerative systems, the country could turn this waste into a US$100 billion recycling industry by 2030.

Across Africa, the circular economy opportunity is estimated to be worth US$546 billion annually.

Cross River joins Lagos, Oyo, Anambra, and Osun as one of only five Nigerian states undertaking circular economy pushes, an effort with the potential to generate two million jobs across the country by 2030.

The state’s 2026 budget, set at N780.6 billion (approximately US$520 million), includes provisions supporting green innovations.

Building the Green Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

The training program, organized with the Recyclers Association of Nigeria, provides hands-on learning for young participants.

Chiluwe noted that collaboration with RAN experts ensures participants have access to best practices in plastic waste value chains, organic waste composting, marine litter reduction, and coastal protection measures.

She expressed confidence that participants will develop green entrepreneurship skills that set them apart in the current job market.

Forest Monitoring Meets Waste Management

The initiative includes forest monitoring training utilizing data-driven approaches to track forest health, identify illegal activities in real time, and implement reforestation strategies.

This component bridges government enforcement and community-led advocacy, reducing pressure from deforestation, illegal logging, and climate-induced degradation.

The Bigger Picture: A Circular Future

For Nigeria and Africa, the Cross River initiative demonstrates circular economy principles in action. By training young recyclers to become “ecopreneurs,” entrepreneurs who see waste as a business opportunity, the program builds both environmental resilience and economic capacity.

As Chiluwe noted, resolve, partnerships, youth engagement, and policy implementation are critical to transforming waste into wealth across the continent.

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