New National E-waste Monitor highlights Kenya’s growing circular economy opportunity

Kenya generated an estimated 56,000 tonnes of electronic waste in 2025—more than seven times the amount recorded in 2000. A new national assessment shows both the scale of the challenge and the opportunities that better collection, repair, reuse and recycling could create.

The National E-waste Monitor 2026 – Kenya provides the latest data on electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market, e-waste generation and current management practices. It finds that households account for almost three quarters of the country’s e-waste, while only a small share currently reaches formal collection and recycling systems.

At the same time, Kenya’s e-waste contains valuable resources. The metal fractions alone were worth an estimated USD 48–50 million in 2025. Recovering more of these materials through environmentally sound systems could support new businesses and jobs, reduce risks to health and the environment, and strengthen Kenya’s transition towards a circular electronics economy.