Safaricom, Warmtech Africa partner to tackle Kenya’s growing e-waste crisis

KENYA – Safaricom has entered into a strategic partnership with Warmtech Africa, one of Kenya’s few licensed e-waste handlers, to address the country’s mounting electronic waste challenge.

The collaboration aims to ensure safe disposal, recycling, and repurposing of obsolete telecom equipment while promoting a circular economy.

Safaricom, which previously relied on auctioning outdated assets with little oversight on their end use, will now benefit from a fully traceable disposal chain.

Warmtech provides certificates documenting how every server, battery, or SIM card is handled, giving the telco greater accountability.

Since the partnership began in 2024, more than 300 tonnes of e-waste have been processed. Of this, about 90% has been recycled or repurposed, with less than 5% reaching landfills.

Smaller but significant waste streams, such as 155,000 unused SIM cards weighing nearly a tonne, have also been safely disposed of, while Safaricom continues to scale up digital solutions to reduce reliance on physical SIMs.

Looking ahead, the partnership will help Safaricom cut down future e-waste by extending the lifespan of its technology.

The telco has replaced short-lived lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion versions that last up to a decade and installed solar-powered masts and data centres designed to run for 25–30 years.

All sensitive equipment is subjected to rigorous data erasure before disposal, ensuring customer information is protected.

For Warmtech Africa, the collaboration has spurred business growth, doubling its technician workforce and opening opportunities for expansion in a sector with rising demand.

Some assets, such as generators, are refurbished and resold, providing them with a second life and supporting job creation.

Kenya generates an estimated 51,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, according to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), yet recycling rates remain low.

Safaricom’s “Zero Waste to Landfill” commitment positions the company as a leader in corporate sustainability while setting a precedent for other firms to adopt responsible disposal practices.

Industry experts say the move could push more companies to formalize e-waste management partnerships, aligning with global efforts to curb the environmental and health risks posed by discarded electronics.

Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer has emphasized that the initiative is not only about compliance but also about rethinking how technology is managed across its lifecycle.

“This partnership shows that e-waste can be turned into opportunity,” he said, pointing to jobs, innovation, and environmental gains as key outcomes.

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