Dakar taps French-Algerian quartet for Casamance waste recycling initiative

SENEGAL – The Senegalese government has enlisted a Franco-Algerian consortium to spearhead a new waste recycling initiative in the Casamance region, marking a significant step toward sustainable waste management and economic development in southern Senegal.

The quartet joins French environmental engineering firm Neosys and Senegal’s Entreprise de Travaux Publics d’Industries et de Commerce (ETPIC) in a strategic public-private partnership.

The initiative will also be implemented in coordination with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), which is currently involved in major infrastructure projects in the region.

The new initiative, dubbed the Casamance Circular Economy Project, aims to establish an integrated solid waste management and recycling center in Ziguinchor, the regional capital.

The facility will focus on processing plastic, organic, and construction waste while creating local employment and reducing environmental degradation.

Casamance, known for its lush landscapes and agricultural potential, has long struggled with inadequate waste disposal systems, leading to rising public health risks and pollution.

By introducing recycling infrastructure and modern waste processing technologies, the project is expected to turn the region’s waste challenges into economic opportunities.

The Franco-Algerian consortium brings together expertise in green engineering, circular economy models, and waste-to-energy solutions.

According to Senegal’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the project will be implemented in phases, starting with a feasibility study and community engagement in late 2025, followed by construction in early 2026.

“This collaboration represents a milestone for Casamance and for Senegal’s broader ambitions under the Plan Sénégal Émergent,” said Minister of Environment, Alioune Ndoye.

“By tapping into international expertise and local potential, we are investing in both our people and our planet.”

The facility is expected to process up to 120 tonnes of waste per day and employ more than 300 people, including youth and women from underserved communities.

It will also serve as an educational hub, raising awareness of waste segregation, recycling practices, and sustainable livelihoods.

The project comes amid growing pressure on West African governments to tackle the mounting waste crisis driven by urbanization, population growth, and climate change.

Dakar alone produces over 2,000 tonnes of waste daily, most of which ends up in landfills or informal dump sites.

Once operational, the Casamance waste recycling center could serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across the Sahel region, offering a scalable model for green development and resilience.

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