ABSTRACT Little is known about the complex power and governance dynamics within e‐waste hubs in the Global South. Taking the example of Sodom‐Agbogbloshie, Mortuary‐road, Ashaiman and Ashaiman New Town in Ghana's capital Accra, we explore their role as catalysts for sustainable rurbanity—a concept that blends urban and rural characteristics within an informal economy. Ghana, home to some of Africa's largest informal e‐waste dumpsites, presents a typical case where e‐waste processing, traditional herding and related economic activities converge, creating a vibrant yet challenging landscape for urban informal actors. Our research utilises the assemblage theory to analyse the interconnectedness and interdependencies of various economic practices, social networks and environmental factors. Employing a mixed methods approach, data were collected through stratified random sampling, resulting in a total of 420 respondents across the four locations. Non‐parametric statistical tests, including Kruskal–Wallis, Dunn's post hoc tests, Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests and chi‐squared tests, were used to assess the economic, social and environmental dynamics of the four e‐waste hubs. Key findings highlight diverse demographics, the adaptability of economic activities, site‐specific resilience to economic outcomes and the motivations driving engagement in the informal sector. We also identify major challenges, including health risks, environmental footprints, and socio‐economic instability, and outline pathways to sustainable rurbanity. The pathways comprise integrating local endowments, improving connectivity, promoting diverse livelihoods, and establishing supportive institutions. Leveraging the unique rurban characteristics, this study provides a blueprint for transforming informal economies into more resilient and thriving communities, capable of withstanding urbanisation pressures while preserving their local identity and socio‐economic fabric.
Iddris et al. (Thu,) studied this question.