Turning e-waste into opportunity: Zambia's journey towards green jobs for young people

Turning e-waste into opportunity: Zambia's journey towards green jobs for young people

14 July 2026

As demand for electronic devices continues to grow, so does the challenge of managing electronic waste (e-waste). At the same time, many young people in Zambia face limited opportunities for decent work. The ILO's Sustainable E-waste Management for Youth Employment in Central Province project is demonstrating how these two challenges can be addressed together by transforming discarded electronics into opportunities for skills development, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

Supported by the Government of Japan and implemented in partnership with the Government of Zambia, the 12 months project seeks to strengthen sustainable e-waste management while creating pathways to decent work for 100 young women and men in Central Province, including persons with disabilities.

Rather than viewing e-waste solely as an environmental problem, the project promotes a circular economy approach that recognises electronic waste as a valuable resource. Through technical skills development, entrepreneurship training, occupational safety and health, and work-based learning, participating youth are being equipped with the knowledge and practical skills needed to safely repair, refurbish, recover and recycle electronic equipment while building viable green enterprises.

Implementation is already underway across the five target districts of Chibombo, Chisamba, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi and Mumbwa. Recent beneficiary induction sessions introduced participants to the project's objectives and highlighted the role they can play in building a safer and more sustainable e-waste management sector. The project has also used platforms such as World Environment Day and the Zambia International Trade Fair to raise public awareness of the environmental and economic value of responsible e-waste management.

A key strength of the initiative lies in its collaborative approach. Working closely with national and local government institutions, regulatory authorities, local councils and technical partners, the project is helping to build an enabling environment for sustainable e-waste management while promoting inclusive economic opportunities for young people.

In the coming months, the project will expand its focus through specialised technical training, entrepreneurship development, community awareness campaigns, strengthened e-waste collection systems and a study tour to South Africa, where project partners will learn from established e-waste management practices that can inform implementation in Zambia.

As Zambia advances its transition towards a greener and more circular economy, the project illustrates how environmental sustainability and decent work can go hand in hand. By investing in young people and equipping them with the skills to participate in an emerging green sector, the project is laying the foundation for a future in which electronic waste becomes not just an environmental responsibility, but a source of innovation, enterprise and decent employment.