Market Forecast by Countries (South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Rest of Africa), By Waste Type (Cereals, Dairy products, Fruits & Vegetables, Meat, Fish & Sea Food, Processed Food, Others), By Process (Aerobic, Anaerobic, Combustion/Incineration, Others), By Source (Primary Food Producers, Food Manufacturers, Food Distributors & Suppliers, Food Service Providers, Municipalities & Households), By Application (Animal Feed, Fertilizers, Biofuel, Power Generation) And Competitive Landscape
Product Code: ETC389804 | Publication Date: Aug 2022 | Updated Date: Apr 2025 | Product Type: Market Research Report | |
Publisher: 6Wresearch | No. of Pages: 250 | No. of Figures: 50 | No. of Tables: 25 | |
Africa Food Waste Management Market report thoroughly covers the market By Countries, By Waste Type, By Process, By Source, By Application. The market report provides an unbiased and detailed analysis of the ongoing market trends, opportunities/high growth areas, and market drivers which would help the stakeholders to devise and align their market strategies according to the current and future market dynamics.
Africa Food Waste Management Market was valued at USD 7 billion and is expected to reach USD 20 billion, growing at a CAGR of around 15% from 2025 to 2031. This growth is driven by factors such as rapid urbanization, population growth, and increasing awareness of food waste's environmental impact. Governments and businesses are investing in sustainable waste management technologies, with a focus on reducing food waste through recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy solutions. As a result, the market is set to expand significantly, contributing to a more sustainable food system in Africa.
The market expansion is driven by factors such as rapid urbanization, population growth, and increasing awareness of food waste’s environmental and economic impact. Governments, NGOs, and businesses are investing in sustainable waste management practices, including composting, recycling, and waste-to-energy solutions. The development of innovative technologies, along with policy support aimed at reducing food waste, further propels market growth. As urban populations increase, the demand for efficient food waste management systems in cities across Africa will continue to rise, contributing to a circular economy and sustainable food systems.
According to 6Wresearch, the Africa Food Waste Management Market Size is expected to reach a significant CAGR of 15% during the forecast period 2025-2031. This growth is driven by factors such as urbanization, rising population, and increasing awareness about the environmental and economic impacts of food waste. As governments, businesses, and organizations focus more on sustainability, there is a growing adoption of technologies like recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy solutions. This expanding market presents opportunities for innovations in food waste management systems across various African countries, contributing to a more sustainable food ecosystem in the region.
Trend analysis in the Africa Food Waste Management market highlights several key developments. Increasing urbanization is driving demand for efficient waste management solutions in cities. Innovations such as waste-to-energy technologies and composting are gaining traction, offering sustainable alternatives to landfill use. Policy reforms and government incentives to reduce food waste are also emerging across countries. Additionally, there’s a rise in public-private partnerships focused on advancing recycling systems and promoting circular economies. Consumer awareness campaigns regarding food waste's environmental impact are accelerating, while businesses are investing in tech-driven solutions for waste reduction and efficient food resource management.
Investment opportunities in the Africa food waste management industry are expanding as the region tackles increasing waste volumes and seeks sustainable solutions. The growing demand for advanced waste-to-energy technologies presents a key investment avenue, with biogas production and energy generation from organic waste gaining momentum. Additionally, investments in recycling infrastructure, such as composting plants and automated sorting systems, offer significant growth potential. As governments implement stricter food waste regulations and sustainability policies, the market for food waste reduction technologies and services is set to expand. Furthermore, private-public partnerships focused on urban waste management and circular economy initiatives provide fertile ground for long-term investments. With rising consumer awareness, opportunities also lie in developing educational campaigns and platforms promoting food waste reduction.
Leading players expanding the Africa food waste management market share include both local and international companies focusing on sustainable waste solutions. Notable global companies like Veolia, SUEZ, and Waste Management Inc. are making significant inroads by providing advanced waste management technologies and infrastructure across African nations. Regional players like EnviroServ in South Africa and EcoWaste in Kenya contribute by offering waste collection, recycling, and disposal services tailored to local needs. Startups focused on food waste reduction technologies, such as AgriProtein (specializing in insect protein production from food waste) and Biodiesel initiatives, are also gaining traction. These companies are capitalizing on rising demand for innovative, sustainable waste solutions, further accelerating the region's market growth.
Government regulations play a crucial role in ensuring effective performance in the Africa food waste management market. Increasingly, governments are implementing policies to reduce food waste, such as mandates for food donation and waste reduction targets. Regulations promoting recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy solutions are also gaining traction. For instance, some African countries have introduced tax incentives for businesses adopting sustainable waste practices. Additionally, there are growing efforts to enforce waste management standards in urban areas, supporting the adoption of innovative technologies. These regulations drive market growth by encouraging investment, fostering innovation, and ensuring the sustainability of food waste management systems across the continent.
Future insights into the Africa food waste management market indicate robust growth, driven by increasing urbanization, rising populations, and a growing awareness of sustainability. The market is expected to benefit from technological advancements in waste-to-energy solutions, composting, and recycling systems. As governments enforce stricter regulations and sustainability goals, demand for efficient food waste management solutions will surge. Investment in infrastructure and public-private partnerships will also play a key role in scaling waste management initiatives. Furthermore, consumer behavior shifts towards sustainability, along with the rise of circular economy models, will drive the adoption of innovative food waste reduction technologies across the region.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments and their leading categories.
South Africa is expected to dominate the food waste management market in Africa due to its advanced infrastructure, higher levels of industrialization, and growing awareness of sustainability issues. With a well-established waste management system, significant investment in renewable energy, and increasing adoption of waste-to-energy technologies like anaerobic digestion, South Africa leads in addressing food waste. Urbanization, coupled with government initiatives focused on reducing food waste and promoting recycling, further solidifies its position. As a more developed economy compared to other African nations, South Africa is positioned to lead in market growth, innovation, and sustainability efforts in the region.
According to Dhaval, Research Manager, 6Wresearch, fruits and vegetables are expected to dominate the food waste market in Africa due to their high perishability and large volumes produced. These items are prone to spoilage during harvest, transportation, and storage, especially in regions with limited refrigeration and waste management infrastructure. In both urban and rural areas, significant quantities of fruits and vegetables go to waste, exacerbating food insecurity. As African countries focus on reducing food loss, improving logistics, and enhancing processing techniques, fruits and vegetables will remain a primary waste category. Efforts to compost or convert this waste into bioenergy will further drive their prominence in the market.
Anaerobic digestion is set to dominate the food waste management market in Africa due to its ability to convert organic waste into valuable byproducts like biogas and compost. This process offers an environmentally friendly solution by reducing methane emissions and generating renewable energy, which is crucial for regions with limited access to electricity. As demand for sustainable energy and waste management solutions grows, anaerobic digestion's ability to provide both waste reduction and power generation makes it a key technology. Its integration into waste management systems is expected to rise significantly, positioning anaerobic digestion as the leading process in the market.
Households are expected to dominate the food waste market in Africa due to increasing urbanization, changing consumption patterns, and growing population. As cities expand, more food waste is generated at the household level, driven by over-purchasing, improper storage, and meal preparation waste. With limited waste segregation and recycling infrastructure in many regions, household food waste becomes a significant challenge. Governments and organizations are focusing on awareness campaigns and providing solutions like composting programs to mitigate this waste. As a result, households will continue to be the largest source of food waste, driving innovation in waste management strategies.
Africa Food Waste Management Market report provides a detailed analysis of the following market segments:
1 Executive Summary |
2 Introduction |
2.1 Key Highlights of the Report |
2.2 Report Description |
2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation |
2.4 Research Methodology |
2.5 Assumptions |
3 Africa Food Waste Management Market Overview |
3.1 Africa Regional Macro Economic Indicators |
3.2 Africa Food Waste Management Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 & 2031F |
3.3 Africa Food Waste Management Market - Industry Life Cycle |
3.4 Africa Food Waste Management Market - Porter's Five Forces |
3.5 Africa Food Waste Management Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Countries, 2021 & 2031F |
3.6 Africa Food Waste Management Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Waste Type, 2021 & 2031F |
3.7 Africa Food Waste Management Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Process, 2021 & 2031F |
3.8 Africa Food Waste Management Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Source, 2021 & 2031F |
3.9 Africa Food Waste Management Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Application, 2021 & 2031F |
4 Africa Food Waste Management Market Dynamics |
4.1 Impact Analysis |
4.2 Market Drivers |
4.3 Market Restraints |
5 Africa Food Waste Management Market Trends |
6 Africa Food Waste Management Market, 2021 - 2031 |
6.1 Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Waste Type, 2021 - 2031 |
6.2 Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Process, 2021 - 2031 |
6.3 Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Source, 2021 - 2031 |
6.4 Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Application, 2021 - 2031 |
7 South Africa Food Waste Management Market, 2021 - 2031 |
7.1 South Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Waste Type, 2021 - 2031 |
7.2 South Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Process, 2021 - 2031 |
7.3 South Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Source, 2021 - 2031 |
7.4 South Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Application, 2021 - 2031 |
8 Nigeria Food Waste Management Market, 2021 - 2031 |
8.1 Nigeria Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Waste Type, 2021 - 2031 |
8.2 Nigeria Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Process, 2021 - 2031 |
8.3 Nigeria Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Source, 2021 - 2031 |
8.4 Nigeria Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Application, 2021 - 2031 |
9 Kenya Food Waste Management Market, 2021 - 2031 |
9.1 Kenya Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Waste Type, 2021 - 2031 |
9.2 Kenya Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Process, 2021 - 2031 |
9.3 Kenya Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Source, 2021 - 2031 |
9.4 Kenya Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Application, 2021 - 2031 |
10 Rest of Africa Food Waste Management Market, 2021 - 2031 |
10.1 Rest of Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Waste Type, 2021 - 2031 |
10.2 Rest of Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Process, 2021 - 2031 |
10.3 Rest of Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Source, 2021 - 2031 |
10.4 Rest of Africa Food Waste Management Market, Revenues & Volume, By Application, 2021 - 2031 |
11 Africa Food Waste Management Market Key Performance Indicators |
12 Africa Food Waste Management Market - Opportunity Assessment |
12.1 Africa Food Waste Management Market Opportunity Assessment, By Countries, 2021 & 2031F |
12.2 Africa Food Waste Management Market Opportunity Assessment, By Waste Type, 2021 & 2031F |
12.3 Africa Food Waste Management Market Opportunity Assessment, By Process, 2021 & 2031F |
12.4 Africa Food Waste Management Market Opportunity Assessment, By Source, 2021 & 2031F |
12.5 Africa Food Waste Management Market Opportunity Assessment, By Application, 2021 & 2031F |
13 Africa Food Waste Management Market - Competitive Landscape |
13.1 Africa Food Waste Management Market Revenue Share, By Companies, 2024 |
13.2 Africa Food Waste Management Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating and Technical Parameters |
14 Company Profiles |
15 Recommendations |
16 Disclaimer |