By Dickson Bandera
Harare, February 11, 2026 — The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), in partnership with Action 24, has launched a pilot circular economy initiative aimed at addressing the growing challenge of solar and electronic waste in Zimbabwe by repairing, refurbishing and repurposing discarded batteries for community energy use.
The pilot focuses on lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, including those from solar installations and electric vehicles, which are increasingly contributing to Zimbabwe’s e-waste stream as the country expands access to clean energy technologies. Instead of disposal, the project seeks to extend the lifespan of these batteries by converting them into reliable energy storage solutions for peri-urban and rural households.
The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday at a Market Dialogue Workshop on Sustainable Solar E-Waste Management held at the Monomotapa Hotel in Harare, bringing together stakeholders from government, the private sector, development agencies, financial institutions, academia and civil society.
UN-Habitat Zimbabwe Programme Manager and Head of Office, Dr Alex Cheleshe, said the pilot presents a practical response to the environmental and public health risks posed by unmanaged e-waste.
“By piloting this circular economy initiative in partnership with Action 24, we are turning a waste challenge into an opportunity for development,” Cheleshe said. “Our aim is to ensure that Zimbabwe’s transition to green energy is inclusive and sustainable, promoting waste-to-wealth approaches that create green jobs for women and youth while strengthening environmental stewardship.”
Globally, electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams, with an estimated 62 million metric tonnes generated in 2022 and projections indicating a rise to 82 million metric tonnes by 2030 if no effective systems are adopted. Despite this growth, less than a quarter of global e-waste is formally collected and recycled.
Although Africa generates lower volumes of e-waste per capita, recycling rates on the continent remain below one percent, largely due to limited infrastructure and policy gaps. In Zimbabwe, available research estimates that about 10,000 metric tonnes of e-waste are generated annually, much of it unmanaged.
UN-Habitat Project Officer for Energy and Environment, Mr Isaac Mwangi, said the pilot demonstrates how local innovation can address both energy access and environmental challenges.
“This project focuses on repairing and repurposing lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, including those from electric vehicles, for non-tractive uses such as home lighting and mobile charging,” Mwangi said. “Through innovative circular models, we can promote waste resource recovery while bridging energy access gaps in rural and peri-urban communities.”
Action 24 Country Coordinator Archieford Chemhere said the pilot lays the groundwork for a responsible renewable energy transition.
“This initiative shows that e-waste can be transformed from an environmental burden into an opportunity for sustainable energy access and green job creation,” Chemhere said. “Building local capacity through repair and repurposing is critical for an inclusive and responsible clean energy transition.”
The pilot is expected to inform future policy development and investment in sustainable e-waste management, with lessons from the project guiding the scaling up of circular economy models across Zimbabwe’s growing solar energy sector.
