LAGOS/Nigeria: Nigeria and Germany have joined forces in a groundbreaking initiative, launching the Partnership for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (ProBaMet) project. The collaborative effort aims at overhauling battery recycling practices in Nigeria, with a focus on enhancing labor conditions, improving environmental standards, and establishing sustainable trade routes for raw materials.
The project, a brainchild of various stakeholders including Nigerian civil society, the metal processing industry, and the solar sector, is in collaboration with the esteemed Oeko-Institut. Together, they aspire to develop a cohesive strategy for the responsible recycling of lead-acid batteries, crucial components in numerous applications including off-grid solar systems and automotive industries.
Highlighting Nigeria’s pivotal role in the endeavor, Frederick Adjei, a researcher specializing in Circular Economy and Recycling at the Oeko-Institut, underlined the country’s significance as the largest economy and most populous nation in Africa. He stressed the pressing need for proper battery recycling practices, especially in the face of escalating demands fueled by the expansion of decentralized solar energy solutions.
Given the alarming health and environmental hazards associated with inadequate recycling methods, the ProBaMet project is committed to supporting industrial players and regulatory bodies in Nigeria. Through initiatives funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the project seeks to introduce and enforce stringent environmental, health, and safety standards.
Nigeria currently hosts one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest lead-acid battery recycling industries, with numerous facilities engaged in the extraction of raw materials such as lead, tin, and antimony. However, the sector requires significant modernization to align with international best practices. Thus, the ProBaMet project endeavors to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building to propel the sector forward.
The collaborative effort adopts a multifaceted approach, incorporating expertise from the Oeko-Institut and industrial partners to enhance environmental protection and occupational safety within recycling plants. Moreover, the project aims to foster cooperation between regulatory authorities and local enterprises to establish and monitor compliance with robust standards.
Importantly, the initiative seeks to forge partnerships with adjacent industries, including the Nigerian solar sector, to promote sustainable solutions for battery disposal. Franziska Weber from Plattform Blei underscores the imperative of upholding environmental and labor standards to ensure the integrity of supply chains, a sentiment echoed by Dr. Leslie Adogame of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev).
As the world grapples with the repercussions of subpar battery recycling practices, the ProBaMet project emerges as a beacon of hope, promising to mitigate health risks, safeguard the environment, and foster economic prosperity through the circular economy.
