IGAD Regional Plastic Pollution Prevention Strategy:
Ending Plastic Pollution in the IGAD Region through Circular Economy Approach
World Environment Day 2025: #BeatPlasticPollution
Blue Economy Project | IGAD Agriculture and Environment Division
5 June 2025
1. Introduction
Plastic production contribute greatly to the global economy and it is rapidly increasing. Plastic production is estimated to have increased from 2 million to 414 million metric tons between 1950 and 2023 and is projected to increase to 736 million tons by 2030 (OECD, 2022). Plastic products are widely utilized in the packaging industry, agriculture, and health, with the processing industry estimated to employ about nine million people worldwide. However, poor production systems, use, and disposal of plastic products pollutes ecosystems and affects health of the environment, organisms and climate.
Although Africa produces only about 5% of the world’s plastic production, the plastic pollution problem is increasing due to high consumption especially of single use plastics accompanied by poor plastic waste management. Some African countries have started to take measures to prevent plastic pollution such as banning single-use plastic bags and developing policies in areas like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Despite this, the problem of plastic pollution has continued to increase in Africa associated with production systems, utilization and waste management. Africa needs to take a holistic approach to prevent plastic pollution by addressing the entire plastic value chain from production to waste management. There is however, no Africa-wide or sub-regional strategy and action plan for prevention of plastic pollution despite the problem being transboundary. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is the first the first regional economic community (REC) to develop and technically validate a regional pollution prevention strategy and implementation plan for the Horn of Africa. The Strategy is developed through a circular economy approach.
Prevention of plastic pollution requires transitioning from the current predominantly linear to a circular economy model. This model prevents plastic pollution by allowing plastic products to stay in use for a long time through measures that reduce the quantity of waste released at each stage of the plastic production and utilization and providing for collection and recycling of the material before being released as waste. This is unlike the linear model where products are produced, consumed, disposed into the environment as waste which accumulates rapidly and pollutes the environment.
The IGAD plastic pollution prevention strategy is planned to be endorsed by mandated ministries of Member States before the end of this year. The regional strategy will be then domesticated by Member States. Since plastic pollution is a regional problem, IGAD will focus to address transboundary challenges through facilitating coordination and cooperation among its Member States to combat plastic pollution.
2. Strategic Intervention Areas
The IGAD regional plastic pollution prevention strategy has identified four strategic areas of intervention (see the illustration below) from existing international practices. These include : managing production, managing utilization, waste management, and providing support services.
Management of plastic production will be addressed through: Promoting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); Utilizing safe and recyclable plastic polymers and chemical additives; Designing plastic products for safety, waste reduction and recyclability, and; Reducing emissions and leakages during production, utilization, and waste disposal.
Management of plastic utilization will be achieved through: Application of marketing systems that promote high value and recyclable products; Promoting reuse systems (reduction, re-use, repurpose, refill, repairs); Regulating single use and other problematic plastic products, and; Promoting utilization of non-plastic alternatives.
Waste management will involve: Improving waste disposal systems; Sorting, processing, recycling, and; and final disposal of waste; Regulating transboundary plastic waste movement, and; Promoting traceability and compliance.
The support services that will facilitate prevention of plastic pollution will include: Appropriate policies, strategies, regulations, standards and guidelines such as banning single use plastics; Information, data and awareness creation; Infrastructure and inputs; Institutional mechanisms including extensive engagement of different stakeholders especially the informal sector; Funding mechanisms, and; Developing and implementation a national strategy and action plan.
3. Key Priority Actions of IGAD to Prevent Plasic Pollution
- Support Member States to reduce plastic production and consumption, particularly by banning single-use plastics and promoting alternatives (encouraging biodegradable or reusable packaging made from local materials.
- Provide innovative supports in improving waste collection and recycling, strengthening waste management systems, encouragin Member States to invest to have better collection infrastructure, especially in urban and coastal areas. establishing recycling hubs: creating regional recycling facilities to process plastic waste into new products, generating jobs and reducing landfill dependence.
- Encouraging innovation and private sector involvement in preventing plastic pollution, supporting green startups, incentivizing businesses that produce eco-friendly packaging or upcycle plastic waste, extended producer responsibility.
- Encouraging transboundary movement of plastic waste monitoring and regulation,
- Support Traceability and compliance systems establishment in plastic pollution management,
- Regional Collaboration and Policy Harmonization : support Member States to develop coherent policies to combat plastic pollution, including cross-border waste management agreements. Organize public awareness campaigns: educating communities on plastic waste reduction and proper disposal methods.
4. Conclusion
The IGAD Plastic Pollution Prevention Strategy and Implementation Plan promotes transitioning to a circular economy to end plastic pollution in the region. By prioritizing sustainable production, efficient waste management, and regional cooperation, IGAD countries can protect their marine and aquatic ecosystems, improve public health, and unlock green economic opportunities. The informal sector players should be recognized, organized and supported. Funding mechanisms to specifically support prevention of plastic pollution should be developed. This IGAD regional plastic prevention strategy and implementation plan should be adapted and used to guide preparation of national strategies.
