The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and telecommunications giant Orange have teamed up for a two-year initiative to establish a sustainable secondary market for mobile devices and IT equipment in Egypt.

Under the global SWITCH2CE project, this collaborative effort is set to transform Egypt's electronics-ICT value chain towards an inclusive, climate-neutral, and circular economy, focusing on reducing e-waste.

With support from partners like Nokia, Cordon Group, and Sofrecom Group, the project plans to launch a refurbishment center in 2024 to extend the lifespan of network equipment and devices. The initiative aligns with Egypt's goal of achieving a 25% recycling rate by 2030 and promoting responsible disposal of hazardous waste.

Why does it matter?

Egypt's alarming 20% share of Africa's e-waste (585.8 kilotons) sparks global concern. Early this year, the World Bank injected a vital US$9.13 million grant for the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project, targeting improved electronic and healthcare waste management. Switzerland is also actively involved, allocating an additional 1.2 million CHF to the Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) project in Egypt (2020-2023), focusing on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in sustainable e-waste recycling.