V-Clean is leading the charge to tackle waste pollution in Nigeria and beyond by transforming the waste management sector with technology and innovation. At the core of V-Clean’s work is the commitment to empowering marginalized communities, especially women and youth, by turning informal waste workers into skilled, recognized agents of change.
Waste management in Nigeria is a huge challenge. The country produces over 32 million tons of waste annually, yet less than 40% is formally collected. This waste sector presents an urgent environmental challenge but also a vast opportunity. At V-Clean, we combine innovative technology, like our IoT-enabled smart bins and drone-based waste mapping, with community-driven initiatives. These smart bins provide real-time waste data, which optimizes collection routes and reduces overflow. Drone mapping helps identify waste hotspots, enabling targeted and effective cleanup efforts, while our citizen science app arms everyday citizens with the power to report waste by snaping and uploading. This app is AI powered as it categorises waste accordingly.
Despite this innovation, V-Clean goes beyond just cleaning up waste. We believe in the power of people to drive lasting change. That’s why we equip informal waste workers, who often face precarious livelihoods, with essential skills in waste management, leadership, and digital reporting. By formalizing their roles, we break the cycle of poverty, improve working conditions, and provide opportunities for economic inclusion.
Through partnerships with local authorities like the Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) and global organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), we are building sustainable waste management systems that align with national policies and international goals for environmental sustainability.
Our goal is to scale V-Clean’s model across Nigeria, expanding into other African countries. By combining technology with grassroots participation, we are paving the way for cleaner, healthier cities while providing economic opportunities for underserved communities. The future is bright with V-Clean, where innovation, community, and environmental sustainability meet at a crossroad.
