Rapid urbanization in West Africa has intensified solid waste management challenges, exacerbating environmental degradation and energy deficits in urban centers. This paper proposes an integrated waste-to-energy policy model to enhance urban sustainability by aligning institutional coordination, technology deployment, and adaptive governance. Drawing from circular economy principles, urban metabolism theory, and systems thinking, the model addresses institutional fragmentation, technical-financial constraints, and social acceptance issues that impede waste-to-energy implementation. The model emphasizes multi-level governance alignment, tailored technology selection, and innovative financing mechanisms, supported by robust data systems for monitoring and iterative policy adaptation. This integrated approach fosters synergies between waste management and renewable energy generation, reducing landfill reliance while improving energy security. The framework also prioritizes social inclusion by integrating informal waste workers and promoting community engagement. By linking waste-to-energy initiatives to broader urban sustainability goals, this model supports climate change mitigation, energy diversification, and resilient urban planning in West African cities. It offers a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers, private sector actors, civil society, and academia to overcome structural barriers and institutionalize sustainable waste-to-energy practices collaboratively. The findings underscore the strategic potential of integrated policy frameworks to transform urban waste challenges into sustainable energy solutions, advancing environmental, economic, and social outcomes across the region.
Giwah et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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