Lafarge Africa partners with Lagos State on waste-to-fuel initiative

NIGERIA – Lafarge Africa, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources through the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to advance solid waste management.

This initiative aligns with Lafarge Africa’s ambitious zero waste to landfill objective and supports Lagos State’s commitment to sustainable waste disposal.

Speaking at the signing ceremony held on February 17, 2025, at the Ministry of Environment’s Office in Alausa Secretariat, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, described the partnership as a transformative step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.

He emphasized that the collaboration would enable Lafarge Africa to collect non-recyclable and combustible waste from Lagos State dumpsites and various companies and repurpose it as an alternative fuel at the company’s Ewekoro Plant.

“By redirecting non-recyclable and combustible waste to our Ewekoro Plant, we manage waste effectively and contribute to a sustainable future. This initiative is powered by Geocycle, our dedicated waste management arm,” Alade-Akinyemi stated. 

He further highlighted that the partnership would reinforce Lafarge Africa’s sustainable construction and climate action leadership while fostering meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s waste management efforts.

“We have successfully implemented waste-to-energy solutions in several global markets, and today, we are extending that expertise to Lagos,” he added. 

“The waste sourced through this collaboration will serve as an alternative fuel in our cement kilns, replacing fossil fuels, reducing our carbon footprint, and supporting Nigeria’s decarbonization journey.”

Beyond its immediate benefits to Lagos State and Lafarge Africa, Alade-Akinyemi stressed the initiative’s broader environmental impact.

“By mitigating methane emissions from decomposing waste and lowering CO₂ emissions from traditional cement production, we are taking a crucial step in combating climate change,” he explained. 

Lagos State reaffirms commitment to sustainable waste management

In his remarks at the ceremony, Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, reiterated the government’s commitment to sustainable waste management and environmental preservation.

He described the partnership as a major milestone in Lagos’ journey toward a cleaner and more sustainable city.

“As a government, we recognize that waste management is critical to our environmental policies. We are committed to fostering innovative collaborations that will help reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and establish a circular economy,” Wahab stated.

“This MoU reflects our shared vision for a Lagos where waste is effectively managed and utilized as a resource for both economic growth and environmental sustainability,”

He noted that Lagos generates between 13,000 and 15,000 tons of waste daily, a challenge the government is actively addressing.

“We have stopped complaining. Instead, we have taken decisive steps to confront waste management head-on. It’s a culture we must build over time,” he added.

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