Zoomlion Ghana Limited has begun a sweeping transformation of Nairobi’s waste management system, launching an ambitious integrated programme aimed at addressing long-standing sanitation challenges in Kenya’s capital while introducing modern recycling and waste processing infrastructure.
Barely a month after commencing operations on March 27, 2026, Zoomlion Kenya says it has already made significant progress under the initiative, which combines emergency cleanup efforts with long-term sustainability planning. According to Project Director Dr. Peter Dagadu, the company is working closely with city authorities to deliver what he described as an “end-to-end waste management solution” designed to improve environmental conditions, sanitation, and public health.
Before Zoomlion’s intervention, Nairobi faced a major waste crisis, with approximately 109 illegal dumpsites scattered across the city. These sites posed serious health and environmental risks, contributing to pollution, disease outbreaks, and poor living conditions in affected communities.
In response, the company has initiated a large-scale legacy waste evacuation exercise, clearing accumulated refuse from illegal dumps and transporting it to the Dandora dumpsite, the city’s primary waste disposal facility. Since operations began, more than 55,000 tonnes of waste have been removed, a figure Dr. Dagadu noted is more than four times the previous evacuation capacity recorded before the intervention.
To support this surge in activity, Zoomlion is also upgrading the Dandora dumpsite itself. Improvements include the rehabilitation of internal access roads, reorganisation of tipping operations, and the introduction of a 24-hour operational system to ease congestion and enhance efficiency in waste handling.
Beyond immediate cleanup, the company is rolling out a long-term strategy aimed at restructuring how waste is collected, processed, and recycled in Nairobi. Central to this plan is the introduction of a secondary waste collection system supported by four zonal transfer stations. Each of these facilities is expected to handle between 800 and 1,200 tonnes of waste per day, enabling more efficient consolidation and transportation of refuse across the city.
Zoomlion is also preparing to construct a large-scale waste processing and resource recovery facility at Ruai. The plant, designed to handle up to 3,600 tonnes of waste daily, will incorporate recycling, composting, and other recovery technologies. Once completed, the facility is expected to significantly reduce reliance on landfill disposal while promoting a circular economy approach to waste management.
The project has drawn praise from Kenyan political leadership. Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who visited Zoomlion’s operations during a working tour, described the partnership as a strong example of intra-African collaboration and a shift toward practical, results-driven development solutions.
He noted that the initiative demonstrates how African countries can increasingly rely on partnerships within the continent to address pressing infrastructure and environmental challenges. According to him, such projects go beyond policy discussions and deliver tangible improvements in urban living conditions.
The programme also places strong emphasis on inclusivity. Zoomlion says it is engaging stakeholders across the waste value chain, including informal sector workers, community groups, and existing operators, to ensure that the transformation creates economic opportunities while maintaining sustainability.
The involvement of key Ghanaian figures, including Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, and Eric Nyamekye, underscores the broader vision behind the initiative, which extends beyond sanitation to encompass governance, discipline, and human capital development.
Analysts say the Nairobi project could serve as a model for other African cities grappling with waste management challenges. Rapid urbanisation across the continent has outpaced infrastructure development, leaving many cities struggling with waste collection, disposal, and environmental degradation.
If successfully implemented, Zoomlion’s integrated approach combining immediate cleanup, infrastructure investment, and long-term sustainability could redefine urban waste management standards in Africa.
