In April 2025, the UNITAR SCYCLE team was in Nairobi, Kenya, delivering a training on electronic waste (e-waste) statistics,
in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The training was part of the 2025 International Workshop Series on E-waste Statistics, delivered under the UNEP project Enhancing Countries’ Capacities for Measuring Progress on the Transition towards a Circular Economy. The project takes a multi-level approach to strengthening global statistical capacity for the circular economy. Its goals include advancing methodologies at the global level and enabling national institutions to regularly produce and publish circular economy and waste statistics.
Led by UNITAR SCYCLE, the workshop series is designed to equip national authorities with the technical expertise needed to regularly produce e-waste statistics. It draws on UNITAR SCYCLE’s long-standing experience in developing global datasets, conducting research, and producing statistical guidelines on e-waste.
The 2025 workshop series engages participants from Kenya, Jamaica, and Thailand, primarily targeting representatives from National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and relevant government ministries involved in environmental statistics.
The Nairobi workshop came at a critical moment, amid increasing demand for reliable data on e-waste generation and management to inform national policy development. Alongside training on key indicators and discussion of methodological challenges, the event featured contributions from Kenyan government agencies and organizations on e-waste management priorities.
Building on earlier trainings organized with the East African Communications Organization (EACO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the workshop brought together representatives from KNBS, the National Treasury – State Department for Economic Planning, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the ICT Authority of Kenya, the Communications Authority of Kenya, and the WEEE Centre.
Follow-up activities are underway, including the development of a National E-waste Monitor for Kenya. Further information on the workshop is available on the UNEP project website: https://sdgs.unep.org/article/circular-economy