Kenya Launches National Plastic Action Partnership at Our Ocean Conference
At the 11th Our Ocean conference held in Mombasa, the Kenyan government, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) and UNDP Kenya, formally launched the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP Kenya). The initiative aims to accelerate the transition to a circular plastics economy, reducing plastic pollution, valorizing waste materials, and generating economic opportunities.
Plastic pollution poses a pressing threat to Kenya’s marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal livelihoods. At least 14 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, accounting for 20% of all marine debris found in surface waters and deep-sea sediments. In Kenya, plastics make up 20% of the 22,000 tonnes of waste generated daily. Only a portion is collected, of which 8% is recycled, and the remaining 19% ends up in unsanitary landfills or dumpsites. Uncollected plastic waste often flows into rivers and the ocean, disrupting ecosystems, endangering wildlife, and harming tourism and fisheries.
Kenya has taken prior steps to curb plastic pollution, including a 2017 ban on single-use plastic bags and a 2020 ban on single-use plastics in protected areas. NPAP Kenya builds on these efforts through a multi-stakeholder approach.
How NPAP Kenya Will Drive Change
The Global Plastic Action Partnership, launched by the World Economic Forum in 2018, works with countries to generate data-driven insights, support national strategies, and mobilize action across the plastics value chain. There are 25 Plastic Action Partnerships globally, including eight in Africa: Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Senegal, Angola, Zambia, and Gabon have implemented similar frameworks.
Developing a National Roadmap and Inclusive Report
As a first step, NPAP Kenya will support the development of a National Plastic Action Roadmap. This roadmap will identify priority actions, investment opportunities, and implementation pathways to reduce plastic pollution, strengthen resource efficiency, support job creation, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The partnership will also produce a Gender, Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Report to ensure that the benefits of the circular economy transition are shared broadly, recognizing the roles of women, youth, and informal waste workers.
Interview with Clemence Schmid, Director, GPAP
Mongabay spoke with Clemence Schmid on the sidelines of the Our Ocean conference to understand the partnership’s objectives.
The Threat to Marine Biodiversity
Mongabay: How significant is the threat from plastic pollution to marine biodiversity?
Clemence Schmid: “Plastic pollution is a massive issue. It drives many environmental, economic, and health issues. For example, when plastic debris entangles coral reefs, the reefs are 89% more likely to experience disease, leading to severe ecosystem deterioration. But once plastic is in the sea, it’s too late; we can only apply a band-aid approach.”
WEF’s Role in NPAP Kenya
Mongabay: What was WEF’s role in putting together Kenya’s National Plastic Action Partnership?
Clemence Schmid: “The Kenya NPAP is a local chapter of the Global Plastic Action Partnership. We launched it in partnership with the Kenyan government, whose leadership aims to tackle marine pollution through upstream solutions. The partnership brings together governments, the private sector, civil society, the informal sector, and academia to assess the situation and jointly define solutions. It also builds a bridge between local work and global conversations, leveraging the network of 25 countries.”
Connecting Plastic Reduction to Climate Goals
Mongabay: How can Kenya’s efforts reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support its Paris Agreement commitments?
Clemence Schmid: “The plastic value chain drives significant emissions. The National Plastic Action Roadmap will provide concrete recommendations to reduce plastic pollution and quantify the greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved, contributing to net-zero goals.”
Economic Opportunities for Coastal Communities
Mongabay: It’s estimated that a circular economy can create 11 million jobs across Africa. What opportunities exist for youth, women, and informal waste workers?
Clemence Schmid: “Our work includes the informal sector from the start, because the only possible transition is a just transition. Through GPAP’s evidence-based approach, NPAP Kenya is positioned to attract investment, strengthen waste management infrastructure, and expand safe recycling and reuse systems. A just transition to a circular economy could generate up to 11 million jobs and a $546 billion annual market opportunity across Africa by 2030, while strengthening resource efficiency, industrial competitiveness, and economic resilience. This partnership supports Kenya’s ambition to become a regional hub for sustainable innovation and green industrialization.”
Resources and Investment
Mongabay: What resources will become available through this partnership?
Clemence Schmid: “While we are not a financing institution like the World Bank, NPAP brings all actors together, providing opportunities for investments from the private sector, Development Finance Institutions, and the government.”
Conclusion: A Just Transition for Kenya’s Future
NPAP Kenya represents a comprehensive effort to tackle plastic pollution while fostering economic growth and social inclusion. By combining local action with global networks, the partnership aims to protect marine ecosystems, cut emissions, and create a circular economy that benefits all Kenyans.