Africa Roadmap on Transformative Action to End Open Burning of Waste Endorsed at AMCEN
Across Africa, open burning and uncontrolled dumping of waste remain urgent challenges with catastrophic impacts on human health, the environment, and climate. Nearly 1.2 million premature deaths are caused every year in Africa by air pollution to which open burning of waste is one of the primary contributors. Open burning of waste is responsible for an estimated 11% of global black carbon emissions, causing respiratory diseases, cancers and premature deaths, and accelerating climate change.
Political mandate and regional commitment
The Africa Roadmap on Transformative Action to End Open Burning of Waste identifies the key actions to address the systemic deficiencies in waste management and promote waste to resource conversion that could generate multiple social, economic and environmental benefits. In 2025, the African Ministerial Conference on Environment endorsed the Roadmap, calling on all African national governments and local authorities to take concrete actions to implement the Roadmap.
