African manufacturers worry over sweeping plastic ban across continent

The body of manufacturers in Africa has expressed deep concern about “the speed, scope, and industrial implications of the current plastic ban trend” across the continent. The Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA) stated this in its April 2025 edition of its news bulletin. PAMA warned that the fight against plastic pollution should not sacrifice “Africa’s fragile […]

The body of manufacturers in Africa has expressed deep concern about “the speed, scope, and industrial implications of the current plastic ban trend” across the continent.

The Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA) stated this in its April 2025 edition of its news bulletin.

PAMA warned that the fight against plastic pollution should not sacrifice “Africa’s fragile manufacturing future.” 

 

 Race to ban plastic manufacturing

About 30 African countries have taken steps on plastic ban.

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Kenya’s journey to curb plastic began with the 2017 ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of single-use plastic bags for commercial and household packaging, enforced under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA).

The ban, implemented by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), imposed hefty fines (up to KES 4 million) and jail terms for violations effective August 28, 2017.

Rwanda banned non-biodegradable plastic bags as early as 2008 and extended the ban to single-use plastics in 2019. Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa have also introduced partial bans and restrictions.

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is already advancing a regional Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Bill aimed at banning the production, sale and importation of harmful plastics across EAC member states.

The bill promises to harmonise environmental laws and reduce cross-border plastic waste.

 

  Nigeria’s side

In June, 2024, the federal government announced a phased ban on single-use plastics beginning with all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to address the growing issue of plastic pollution in the country.

Then Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, said the ban was approved during the federal executive council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The minister said the ban aligns with the Tinubu administration’s broader plastic waste management strategy and demonstrates the government’s commitment to tackling the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

He added that the ban is also in line with the 2022 national policy on plastic waste management.

Salako stressed the severity of plastic pollution in Nigeria, describing it as “a major issue in our country”.

He lamented that plastic waste often clogs drains and contributes to flooding, while also polluting the oceans and affecting human health and the environment.

 “The Federal Ministry of Environment proposed and the federal executive council approved the ban on the use of on-the-go plastics, what we know as single-use plastics, in all ministries, agencies and departments of the federal government,” the minister said.

 “This is in line with the 2022 national policy on gas-to-waste management,” he said.

Lagos State had banned the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics across the state earlier in 2024, but said full ban would commence in January 2025.

Lagos generates between 13,000 and 15,000 metric tons of waste daily, with a significant amount coming from SUPs.

The metropolis battles with poor hygiene behaviours and indiscriminate waste disposal habits by residents. And reports say that Lagos generates 870,000 tons of plastic and loses N7 billion annually managing waste.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said, “Following the menace which single-use plastics especially non-biodegradable Styrofoam are causing on the environment, the Lagos State government through the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources  is hereby announcing a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the state with immediate effect.”

 

 A threat to local manufacturers?

PAMA in the April 2025 edition of its news bulletin admitted that the environmental rationale behind these policies is legitimate.

“The vast majority of African plastic manufacturers, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are ill-prepared for an abrupt transition. Many of these businesses rely heavily on plastic production and packaging, employing tens of thousands of workers and serving essential sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods,” the association said.

According to PAMA, the ban on SUPs, without viable, affordable alternatives, has created uncertainty across the manufacturing value chains.

“In Nigeria, for example, Styrofoam producers and packaging companies now face a regulatory cliff, with no clear transition strategy or incentive framework. This could result in factory closures, job losses, and capital flight, further weakening the continent’s already underdeveloped manufacturing base. 

“In Kenya, the 2017 ban forced dozens of local plastic bag producers out of business almost overnight, with little compensation or retraining support,” the body said.

PAMA also said African manufacturers, most of whom operate in resource-constrained environments face high energy costs, limited access to finance and poor infrastructure. 

“For food producers in particular, switching packaging materials risks reducing shelf life, raising prices, and threatening food security,” it also said.

The manufacturers also expressed worry over regulatory inconsistencies and weak enforcement across borders complicating matters.

“While some African countries have enacted strict bans, others have not, creating a patchwork of rules that confuse manufacturers, traders and logistics operators alike. 

“Without harmonisation under frameworks like the AfCFTA, these fragmented policies could discourage cross-border industrial investment and disrupt regional supply chains,” the association said.

 

PAMA demands balance, not backlash

PAMA has urged policymakers across the continent to pause and recalibrate.

“Environmental goals must not come at the expense of industrial survival. Africa is still in the early stages of industrialisation, with less than 10% of its workforce engaged in manufacturing.

“Its share of global manufacturing output remains under 2% (African Futures With AUDA-NEPAD, 2025),” it said.

PAMA proposed a more balanced, industry-sensitive approach, including promotion of recycling and circular economy industries.

It said instead of banning plastics, a more sustainable approach involves investing in plastic recycling and circular manufacturing industries. 

“Africa must treat plastic waste not just as an environmental hazard but as a resource that can fuel new industries, jobs and income streams for businesses, governments and households,” it said.

PAMA called for the development of regional recycling hubs which must be supported by enabling policies, private investment and technology partnerships.  

It also sought AfCFTA-led harmonisation by aligning plastic regulation at the continental level to reduce trade friction and promote a shared vision of green industrial transformation.

It called for gradual phase-outs, incentivised alternatives, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and skill training for workers and SMEs in transitioning to new technologies, materials, and market models through training and soft financing.

“PAMA fully supports the fight against plastic pollution. However, this fight must not sacrifice Africa’s fragile manufacturing future. The continent needs a strategy that balances environmental protection with industrial growth, ensuring that we do not solve one problem only to create another.

 “Environmental protection and industrial growth and development are not mutually exclusive. With the right policy mix, Africa can lead a green industrial revolution,” it said.

 

 It may increase poverty, more job loss – Expert 

Speaking with Daily Trust, Dr. Paul Alaje, the Chief Economist at SPM Professionals, said the move by African nations to reduce the impact of plastic on the environment is commendable, but governments must be cautious about the “accelerating campaigns.”

He said in some developed nations like China, there’s still consumption of plastic. 

“The question is, the entire Africa, what’s our contribution to environmental degradation in terms of percentage. We are certainly doing less than 10 per cent, may be even less than 5 per cent.

“I am speaking from the eye of energy economics. The politics in energy conversion is important that African leaders consider it.

“Why? What are we contributing to new energy sources? What are we contributing to alternative use of plastic? Are you talking of solar? Which region is producing it in Africa?” he asked.

According to him, it’s important for African leaders to balance things because “if we do this (ban) abruptly, it will lead to high unemployment, economy slump for the African countries and it will also lead to increase in the level of poverty as though what we have now isn’t enough.” 

The economist called for a 10-20 year phased ban in such a way that factories will not be adversely affected by it.

“If we must reduce it, it has to be phased out in percentage. For instance, have a 20-year plan instead of abruptly making a proclamation not thinking of those that are involved. Maybe do a 10 to 20-year plan and say that in certain sectors there will be some level of replacement and investment that will help those factories not to completely shut down.

“China today is able to withstand the USA… What people call the ‘Almighty’ USA is because of its productive capacity in manufacturing and in industry. 

“Africa wants to be the good boy in the books of many nations, unfortunately, the boy is an orphan,” he said.