USAID and Coca-Cola Foundation Partner with TechnoServe to Launch Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity (NPSA)
Lagos, Nigeria (May 6, 2024) — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with The Coca-Cola Foundation and TechnoServe Nigeria, is pleased to announce the launch of the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity (NPSA). This impactful initiative, funded equally by Coca-Cola and USAID with a combined investment of $4 million, tackles the critical challenge of plastic waste management in Nigeria through innovative recycling solutions. Plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental concern globally, and Nigeria is no exception. With an estimated 2.5 million metric tons of plastic waste generated annually, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate its impact on the environment and public health.
The primary objective of the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity (NPSA) is to recover approximately 49,000 metric tons of plastic waste in Nigeria while upscaling the collection capacity of over 24 aggregators and 9,500 collectors. In addition, the program aims to create over 10,000 green jobs, driving circularity in plastic waste management and promoting a cleaner, healthier environment.
During today’s launch event, USAID Mission Director Melissa Jones remarked “In addition to improving the environment, plastic collection, sorting, aggregating, processing and manufacturing offers employment opportunities. Small and medium scale enterprises and entry-level and semi-skilled workers particularly stand to benefit from this new value chain.”, U.S. Consul General Will Stevens [represented during the event by Kenise Hill, the Deputy Political and Economic Section Chief for the US Consulate in Nigeria] reiterated the United States Government’s commitment to the new project. “By incentivizing recycling as a means of averting plastic pollution, we protect the planet, create jobs, empower youth and other marginalized groups, and foster sustainable development. We must persist in collaborating, innovating, and implementing solutions to address this urgent issue. Together, we can build a future where plastics are no longer a threat to our planet but a valuable resource managed responsibly and utilized for the benefit of future generations,” he remarked.
“The Coca‑Cola Foundation places a priority on helping communities become more sustainable by supporting innovative collection and recycling solutions at a local level,” said Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, [represented during the event by Mariam Khan, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd] “We hope this new program in Nigeria serves as a catalyst to drive increased collection and recycling rates as we collectively work towards a more sustainable society, one community at a time.
Adesuwa Akinboro, Country Director for TechnoServe in Nigeria, emphasized that with the country’s expanding consumer market and the scarcity of recycling facilities, the Nigerian plastic recycling sector is set to experience substantial growth. It is projected to expand by 70 percent, reaching 3.47 million metric tons by 2030. She explained that the project’s ambitions would be achieved through strategic partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders. Additionally, enhancing the private sector’s ability to manage plastic waste sustainably will be crucial in driving the circular economy and promoting a cleaner, healthier environment in Nigeria.
“By collectively striving to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic, we can advance the circular economy, minimize plastic waste, and pave the way towards a future that is cleaner, greener, and more sustainable,” she said.
This launch marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainable development in Nigeria. It underscores the commitment of USAID, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and TechnoServe to drive positive change and build a more resilient and environmentally conscious society.
For further information about the program, please contact Benneth Obasiohia, Senior Program Manager, TechnoServe
For further media inquiries, please contact Gloria Audu and Julieta Ocampo, Senior Communications Specialists, TechnoServe
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About The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help nations progress beyond assistance. In Nigeria, USAID supports humanitarian assistance, health systems strengthening, transparent and accountable governance, basic education, and a more market-led, trade-friendly economy.
For more information about USAID and its programs, please visit www.usaid.gov/nigeria and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @USAIDNigeria.
About Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation’s mission is to make a difference in communities around the world where The Coca-Cola Company operates and where our employees live and work. We support transformative ideas and institutions that address complex global challenges and that leave a measurable and lasting impact. Our giving is focused on sustainable access to safe water, climate resilience and disaster risk preparedness and response, circular
economy, economic empowerment, and causes impacting our hometown community. Since its inception in 1984, The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded grants of over $1.5 billion in service of its mandate to strengthen communities across the world.
About TechnoServe
Founded in 1968, TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty for good. A non-profit organization working in about 35 countries, we work with people to build a better future through regenerative farms, businesses, and markets that increase incomes. Our vision is a sustainable world where all people in low-income communities have the opportunity to prosper.
More information at: Twitter @TechnoServe | Facebook @TechnoServe | LinkedIn @TechnoServe
