GIVO (Garbage In, Value Out), a leading climate-tech startup, marked a milestone in sustainable waste management with the launch of its third zero-carbon recycling hub in Lagos at Abraham Adesanya Junction, Lekki-Epe Expressway. Coinciding with International Day of Climate Action on October 24, the event brought together climate activists, development aid organizations, and local leaders to witness GIVO’s innovative, solar-powered facility aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s waste management landscape.
The new Ajah hub showcases GIVO’s end-to-end circularity model, where waste is collected, sorted, and mechanically recycled, transforming materials like plastic into consumer products such as flower pots, keychains, and decorative items. At the launch, GIVO’s founder and CEO, Victor Boyle-Komolafe, emphasized the impact of technology-driven recycling on Nigeria’s environmental and economic landscape. He stated, “Our Ajah centre is a vital step in tackling Lagos’ waste issues while creating economic opportunities for local communities.” This center aligns with Lagos State’s sustainability goals as the city produces 13,000-15,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, with only 8% being recycled.
Supported by key partners, including Coca-Cola, Firestone, and local agencies like LAWMA and LASPARK, GIVO’s Ajah centre represents a collaborative effort to create a waste-free future in Nigeria. Head of Partnerships, Adetomiwa Isiaka, highlighted the power of partnerships in driving impact: “Our corporate and community partners actively contribute to building sustainable solutions, helping us to create a model that’s both environmentally and economically sound.” The facility’s reach extends to communities within a 5km radius, providing door-to-door collection services and creating up to 50 direct jobs, along with income opportunities for over 500 community members, especially women and youth.
The Ajah centre is part of the GIVO-Warwick Project, funded by the UK Government through UK Aid’s Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme. Since 2022, GIVO’s hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Liberia have diverted over 2,000 metric tonnes of plastic from landfills and water bodies, preventing 35,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions. Their circular economy approach has also created 80 direct jobs and generated over $50,000 in financial incentives, showcasing the potential of sustainable waste management to drive economic growth and environmental protection.
GIVO’s expansion plans are in full swing, with new recycling hubs set to open in Ikota, Lagos, and Port Harcourt by early 2025. GIVO’s tech-driven approach, which uses data insights to optimize waste collection and processing, has garnered international recognition, including accolades from the World Economic Forum and BBC. The Ajah launch represents not just a new recycling center but a sustainable community model that positions Lagos, and Nigeria at large, as a leader in Africa’s green economy.
