The National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Mr. Olugbenga Adebola led a 6-man AWAMN delegation that join other Nigerians to attend IFAT 2024 in Munich, Germany which is the world’s leading trade fair for waste/environmental technologies, took place in Munich, Germany earlier this year.
The participation of AWAMN members was as a result of an international collaboration between the Association and the German Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs facilitated by the Mr. Timo Pleyer, the Delegate/Head of Delegation of German Industry & Commerce in Nigeria (AHK), Mr. Weert Borner, the Consul General of the German Consulate General of Federal Republic Of Germany in Lagos and Mr. Adebola himself.
The participation will surely have a lot of influence and impact on waste management, recycling, circular economy, and sustainability in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries. Impacting positively on the activities and operations of AWAMN members nationwide.
Benefits and Impacts on Nigeria
- Technological Advancements: IFAT2024 showcased cutting-edge technologies and solutions in waste management, recycling, and resource recovery. It expanded the knowledge base of we the attendees, thereby making meaningful impacts on more Nigerian businesses and organizations through gaining more exposure to newer technological advancement and innovations, fostering the adoption of efficient and sustainable practices of waste management & recycling.
- Networking and Collaboration: The event facilitated networking opportunities among industry professionals, government agencies, and international organizations. The 6-member of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) which the National President led to the event indeed networked and kick-started a lot of mutually benefiting billeteral and multilateral partnerships for capacity development, training, knowledge exchange and B2B partnerships and collaborations. As expected These is expected to foster more collaboration and knowledge exchange, leading to the development of localized solutions for Nigeria’s waste/environmental challenges.
- Investment and Economic Growth: IFAT2024 attracted investors and businesses interested in the waste/environmental management sector. The participation of AWAMN delegates has increased the attention and investment interests in Nigerian waste management sector thereby creating more opportunities for economic growth and job creation in Nigeria’s waste management and recycling industries. This will also increase more business to business collaboration and partnerships between our member’s companies and other established companies in Europe & America interested in Nigerian markets.
- Policy and Regulatory Influence: The presence of policymakers and regulators from across the world at IFAT2024 (Including the Managing Director of LAWMA Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin encouraged dialogue and exchange of ideas on environmental policies and regulations. The National President Mr. Adebola reported that he holds dearly the announcement of the generation of over 1.8 Billion Euros per annum as EPR from Plastic Waste alone. He noted that, this is something that Nigeria can learn from Germany. The issue was raised at a side event organised by UNIDO ITPO on Waste management & Recycling as drivers of industrial development in Africa. This and many more can lead to the development of improved policies, cost recovery system and incentives to promote sustainable waste management practices in Nigeria. It can also positively impact adequate Budgetary Allocations and more Private Sector investments and access to single-digit funding opportunities in Nigeria.
- Public Awareness and Education: The extensive media coverage and public outreach that surrounded IFAT2024 raised more awareness about waste management, recycling, and sustainability among the Nigerian populace especially within the public sector. This increased awareness will foster responsible waste disposal and resource conservation practices. It will also impact on the Political Heads of Governments at National and Subnational levels to be more conscious about waste/environmental management and Public health.
Specific Areas of Impact on AWAMN members
A. Waste Management: IFAT2024 highlighted technologies for waste collection, sorting, treatment, and disposal. Adopting these solutions can improve waste management efficiency, reduce pollution, and promote resource recovery in Nigeria, thereby bringing about new business opportunities and more income for our members.
B. Recycling: The fair showcased innovative recycling technologies for various materials like plastics, metals, and paper Including waste water etc Implementing these technologies can boost recycling rates, conserve resources, and reduce the environmental burden of waste management in Nigeria.
C. Circular Economy: IFAT2024 promotes the concept of a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible. Adopting circular economy principles can minimize waste generation, maximize resource utilization, and create a more sustainable economic models for Nigeria.
D. Sustainability: The overall theme of IFAT2024 is from waste to sustainability. By participating in and learning at the event, our members and other Nigerian businesses, organizations, and individuals can embrace sustainable practices, contribute to environmental protection, and promote a greener future for the country.
Mr. Adebola strongly believe that IFAT 2024’s influence, impacts and the potential benefits will fast-tract the transition from Linear Economy to Circular Economy through sustainable waste management and environmental practices in Nigeria. Also by embracing the technologies, knowledge, and collaborations facilitated by IFAT2024, Nigeria through our Association and other associates can make substantial progress towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
The Sponsorship of Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Beyond IFAT2024, the AWAMN delegation were part of the 18 Delegation Sponsored by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs through bbw to attend the IFAT2024 and Environmental Technologies Seminar/Training.
The National President, Mr. Olugbenga Adebola expressed profound gratitude and a BIG Thank you to the Bavarian Government for the opportunity of the Study Tour, Training, Knowledge exchange and Capacity Development. AWAMN further kick-started more collaborations with the Ministry for more of such sponsorship for our members and others within the Waste Management Value-Chain in Nigeria.
The BBW – Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft GmbH team led by Mr. Martins Wahl, Mr. Saad Saad, Mr. Adel Jaballah, Mr. Eric Santa and Josef Hakim were fantastic host.
Wildpoldsried : The BBW – Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft GmbH team provided a fantastic accommodation for all the 18 Nigerian Delegation at Kultiviert Hotel which is an energy conservation hotel in Wildpoldsried
Wildpoldsried is a municipality in the district of Oberallgäu in Bavaria region of Germany. The village has been recognized for its exceptional achievements in renewable energy production and in reducing its carbon footprint. Since 1997, the people of Wildpoldsried, in some cases acting as individuals, began a series of projects that produce renewable energy. The first efforts were wind turbines and biomass digesters for cogeneration of heat and power. In the time since, new work has included a number of energy conservation projects, more wind and biomass use, small hydro plants, photovoltaic panels on private houses/farms, and district heating. Tied to this are ecological flood control and wastewater systems.
Visitations: The team visited most of the following remarkable waste/renewable sites like the Wind Turbines, Community Materials Recovery Facilities, and Private Farms producing biogas for Energy Generation etc through a guided tour led by Mr. Thomas Pfluger, a member of Advisory Board of the Municipalily on Waste/Renewable Services. There were also several classroom lectures before site visitation, teaching Effective waste management, Energy generation and Efficiency!
The Team later went on another Study tour to ZAK – Zweckrerband fur Abfallwirtshaft Kempten. ZAK-Kempten is a Waste Management Company formed through collaboration and partnerships amongst 3 Counties/Municipalities namely; Kempten, Oberallgau & Lindau all of Bavarian region of Germany.
The company ZAK is publicly owned and it Handles the collection, transportation and segregation of domestic, industrial, commercial & hazardous Wastes. It also manages waste treatment facilities like waste to organic fertiliser, waste to Energy, Incineration facility and Ewaste management facilities.
It also have take-back centres where residents drop off near end of life (serviceable) items that they don’t need again, these items are refurbished and resold at cheaper rates to other residents – thereby implementing and promoting Circular Economy of Refurbishing, Repurposing & Reuse at their Re-use Parks in Kempten.
ZAK is the organisation responsible for waste & resource management for the 3 administrative units of Kempten, Oberallgau and Lindau.
Finally, the flag of our Great Association – AWAMN flew wider and higher for more international bilateral and multilateral collaborations, cooperations and partnerships for the Association on one part and for our members on the other part.
Many capacity development, training, study tours and business to business partnerships will follow soon.
We thank the Almighty Jehovah, the gracious and merciful for this opportunity and journey mercies granted to all the AWAMN Delegates.
The members of delegation are as follows:
- Mr. Olugbenga Adebola – National President & CEO of Richbol Environmental Services Ltd
- Mr. Abayomi Akinbami – Asst Secretary General & CEO of Lam Akinbami & Sons
- Mr. Adigun Oladimeji CEO of Miladex Nig Ltd.
- Mr. Aina Ezekiel CEO of Itechsol Global Ltd.
- Mrs. Bolaji Titilola CEO of Dopec Nig Ent.
- Mr. Adegbola Joshua CEO of Great Jolad Waste & Recycling Ltd AWAMN & The BBW – Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft GmbH Collaboration for 2025
Following the successful participation of the members of the Association in the German Study, the National President, Mr. Olugbenga Adebola has commenced a collaboration with Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (Bbw) GmbH to organise a 4-City Technical Tour of German Waste/Renewable Management Experts to provide Technical and Vocational Training for waste managers/practitioners in Nigeria.
Keep watching this space for more information about the program and the 4 Nigerian cities
AWAMN Media Team