At the forefront of this initiative is Plastics Recycling Gambia Ltd, a private sector leader in plastic recovery. In collaboration with Seenons, a Dutch waste management platform based in Amsterdam, and other international professionals, the company will welcome delegations from the Netherlands and the UK for an eight-day programme of site visits, technical exchanges, and investment dialogues.
The programme will feature engagements with government ministries, municipal councils, NGOs, private sector actors, and youth-led enterprises.
Stakeholder roundtables and technical sessions will explore models for circular economy adoption, while investment meetings will seek to unlock new financing opportunities for sustainable waste management.
The centrepiece of the visit will be The Gambia’s Waste Fair and Conference, organized by Plastics Recycling Gambia Ltd in collaboration with Precious Plastic Gambia.
Scheduled for 28th March 2026 from 10:00am to 5:00pm at Alliance Française de Banjul (Westfield), the fair will serve as an advance national celebration of UN Zero Waste Day.
Expected to attract 150–300 participants, the event will unite government institutions, municipal councils, recycling companies, waste pickers, NGOs, academic institutions, development partners, and international delegates. Youth and women-led enterprises will play a central role, showcasing grassroots creativity in turning discarded materials into marketable goods.
Organisers say the fair will give visitors the chance to see how plastics and other discarded materials can be reinvented into new products, generate fresh employment, and open up wider opportunities. It will serve as a platform for innovation, investment, and sustainable enterprise.
Waste as Wealth
The Waste Fair underscores the importance of building a circular economy in The Gambia, where waste is treated as a valuable resource rather than a problem. Entrepreneurs, environmental groups, and community leaders will come together to share ideas and inspire change.
The initiative comes at a critical time. With rising plastic pollution, mounting waste generation, and limited recycling infrastructure, The Gambia faces pressing environmental challenges. Yet, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, enterprise development, and climate-smart investment.
Aligning with National and Global Goals
The initiative aligns with The Gambia’s national priorities on environmental protection, climate resilience, and green growth. It also supports global commitments under the UN’s Zero Waste agenda.
Organisers emphasise that the event is not only about recycling, but about reimagining waste as a driver of employment, enterprise, and sustainable development.
Expected outcomes of the convergence include: Greater visibility for The Gambia’s recycling sector, New technical and investment partnerships, Strengthened collaboration between public and private stakeholders, Policy recommendations for improved waste systems, Enhanced youth and women participation in green entrepreneurship
By turning trash into treasure, The Gambia is positioning itself as a regional hub for circular economy solutions, marking a bold step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
