In a strong pushback against the rising tide of single-use plastic bans across Africa, the Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has urged governments to adopt a recycling-first approach rather than outright prohibitions, warning that poorly executed bans could destabilise the continent’s already vulnerable manufacturing sector.
In a position paper titled “Africa’s Race to Plastic Ban: An Environmental Necessity or Threat to Local Manufacturing?”, PAMA criticised recent plastic-related policies, including Nigeria’s phased ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) in Federal Government institutions, and Lagos State’s 2024 crackdown on Styrofoam and select plastic products.
According to the association, while the environmental intent of such policies is commendable, the implementation is often rushed and lacks industrial sensitivity, risking widespread business closures and job losses—especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“We are not against environmental reforms,” the statement reads. “However, blanket bans without affordable, scalable alternatives risk crippling local industries, halting production lines, and driving capital out of Africa.”
PAMA cited examples from Kenya and Rwanda, where similar bans led to the overnight closure of dozens of businesses, many of which lacked access to financial compensation or retraining support. In Kenya’s case, its 2017 ban on plastic bags forced many local producers to shut down abruptly.
Nigeria appears to be heading down a similar path. Manufacturers in Lagos, a state already grappling with a sweeping plastic ban, say they are struggling to meet compliance deadlines, given the high costs of transitioning to biodegradable packaging materials.
“The ban on SUPs, without viable, affordable alternatives, has created uncertainty across the manufacturing value chain,” PAMA warned. “This uncertainty could lead to factory shutdowns, layoffs, and reduced investor confidence.”
Instead of bans, the group recommends a balanced, multi-stakeholder strategy that includes investment in recycling infrastructure, tax incentives for biodegradable packaging, and regulatory harmonisation across the continent.
PAMA proposed the establishment of regional plastic recycling hubs, integrated into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, and supported by enabling laws and private capital. Such hubs, they say, would transform plastic waste into raw materials, generating both revenue and jobs.
The association spotlighted successful case studies like Nigeria’s WeCyclers and Kenya’s EcoPost, both of which have demonstrated how plastic recycling can align environmental stewardship with economic development.
“Recycling is more than environmentalism—it’s an economic strategy,” the statement emphasized. “Africa must begin to treat plastic waste as a resource that can power new industries and opportunities.”
In its recommendations, PAMA called for:
Phased implementation of bans with realistic timelines;
Robust stakeholder consultation involving industry, government, and civil society;
Public incentives for businesses willing to transition sustainably;
Cross-border regulation harmonisation under AfCFTA; and
Digital platforms to link collectors, recyclers, and manufacturers.
The group also urged African governments to avoid reactionary policies driven by global pressure and instead craft indigenous solutions tailored to the continent’s economic realities.
“Environmental protection and industrial growth are not mutually exclusive,” said Mansur Ahmed, Interim President of PAMA. “With the right policy mix, Africa can lead a green industrial revolution without sacrificing its manufacturing potential.”
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the group’s Co-Secretary, reinforced the need for cooperation, saying PAMA stands ready to partner with governments, environmental groups, and private sector players to co-create sustainable plastic management policies.
As Nigeria intensifies enforcement of plastic bans in 2025, manufacturers are calling for urgent policy dialogue to avert what they fear could be a looming crisis for the country’s manufacturing sector—a sector already battered by inflation, unstable power supply, and forex scarcity.
The message from manufacturers is clear: Ban less, recycle more—or risk reversing Africa’s fragile economic gains.