Africa Zero Waste Academy trains the next generation of climate leaders in sustainable waste management

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Africa and the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) have begun the in-person phase of the Africa Zero Waste Academy 2026, a flagship programme aimed at equipping young climate and waste practitioners with skills to develop sustainable waste management solutions across the continent. The physical training session is in Kpong, in the Eastern Region, following the successful completion of the academy's online segment launched last month.

Now in its second year, the Africa Zero Waste Academy seeks to build the capacity of participants to design localised zero-waste systems. More than 700 climate and waste practitioners from across Africa applied to participate in this year's programme. The initiative comes amid growing concerns over the global waste crisis, with more than 2.1 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste generated worldwide each year. The programme highlights Ghana's growing role in the global zero waste movement, following Accra's designation by the United Nations in March 2026 as one of 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste.