Pay Up or Pile Up: Willingness to Pay for Waste Collection Services in Conakry

Household waste collection services in Conakry, Guinea, face persistent financial and governance challenges, limiting accessibility and service expansion. This study estimates the willingness to pay (WTP) for improved household waste collection services using a double-bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) model, finding an average WTP of €3.18 per month. Logistic regression results show that WTP is significantly influenced by household wealth, literacy, gender, mobile money access, remittance reception, and prior service access, with wealthier households being 3.6 times more likely to pay. Our analysis further demonstrates that the current subscription-based financing model covers only 22 per cent of operational costs, limiting service provision. In contrast, transitioning to a tax-based system aligned with the estimated WTP would enhance financial sustainability, with 59 per cent compliance ensuring viability. However, governance concerns, particularly low institutional trust and perceived corruption, present barriers to implementation. Given that 88 per cent of households surveyed use mobile money, integrating digital payment systems into tax collection could improve transparency, reduce administrative costs, and enhance financial inclusion. These findings highlight the need for an integrated policy approach combining financial reform, public engagement, and infrastructure investment to establish an efficient and equitable household waste collection system in Guinea.