Waste Crisis Worsens Flood Risks Across Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa – World Bank

Mounting waste management challenges across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa are heightening flooding risks in major cities, as waste generation across the region is projected to more than double by 2050.

A new report by the World Bank, titled ‘What a Waste 3.0′, warns that uncollected refuse is increasingly clogging drainage systems and worsening flood incidents, particularly in densely populated urban centres with weak infrastructure.

“Uncollected waste contributes directly to flooding by blocking drainage systems,” the report stated, highlighting the growing nexus between poor waste management and climate-related risks.

The warning comes amid severe flooding across Nigeria last year, which resulted in significant human and economic losses.

Data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) shows that more than 230 people lost their lives, with the figure likely higher due to missing persons. Tens of thousands were displaced, while over 400,000 people were affected nationwide.

The floods impacted 25 states, including Lagos, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Taraba, Borno and Niger. More than 47,000 homes were destroyed, while over 60,000 hectares of farmland were damaged, raising fresh concerns over food security and the growing vulnerability of communities to climate-related shocks.

The latest World Bank report comes amid rising waste volumes across the region. Sub-Saharan Africa currently generates about 231 million tonnes of waste annually, but nearly 70 per cent remains uncollected, leaving large volumes exposed to open dumping and burning.

The report noted that waste collection rates remain critically low, with a significant share of refuse left unmanaged, underscoring the scale of the region’s environmental and public health challenge.

For Nigeria, where cities continue to expand rapidly, the implications are significant. Poor waste disposal practices have become a major contributor to urban flooding, as blocked drainage channels reduce cities’ capacity to manage heavy rainfall, particularly during peak seasons.

The situation is expected to deteriorate further as waste generation surges. The report projects that total waste in Sub-Saharan Africa will increase by 2.24 times by 2050, the fastest growth rate globally, driven by population expansion, urbanisation and changing consumption patterns.

Highlighting the urgency, the report stated that “Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to experience the fastest growth in waste generation globally,” raising concerns about the region’s readiness to manage the surge.

Despite this rising tide of waste, collection systems remain weak. Only 31 per cent of waste is currently collected across the region, with significantly lower coverage in rural areas, leaving the majority of waste unmanaged and vulnerable to being washed into waterways and drainage systems.

The report further noted that “in many low-income countries, waste collection services remain limited, particularly outside urban areas,” a gap that continues to widen environmental and public health risks.

Urban centres are particularly exposed, as rapid population growth continues to outpace infrastructure development. With more people moving into cities and informal settlements expanding, pressure on already inadequate waste systems is intensifying.

It warned that without urgent intervention, the combination of rising waste volumes and poor collection could further heighten flood risks, damage infrastructure, and disrupt economic activities in key urban hubs.

Calling for decisive action, the report stressed the need for “improved waste management systems, stronger institutions, and increased investment” to address the growing crisis.