Urban solid waste management is a developmental and fiscal challenge across Africa, south of the Sahara, where cities face rapid demographic growth, limited infrastructure, and insufficient public revenues. Regional waste collection rates average 36 per cent, compared to 75 per cent globally, reflecting financial, institutional, and governance constraints. This increases waterborne diseases, exacerbates flooding, and contributes to rising greenhouse gas emissions.
Conakry generates around 1,541 tonnes of waste per day, yet only 44 per cent is collected, due to limited transit zones, insufficient collection vehicles, and overburdened landfill. Institutional reforms and donor-led interventions have not addressed the core financing gap. The municipality is responsible for waste collection, but property taxes are collected by the National Tax Directorate. This institutional separation means communes cannot align expenditure with local needs.
To compensate, Conakry relies on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for pre-collection, financed through mandatory household subscription fees. However, payment compliance remains low, forcing SMEs to operate without adequate equipment, staffing, or regular collection. Free public waste collection points are a further complication, undermining SME revenue and weakening the incentive to pay.
No studies exist on the determinants of households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improved waste collection in Guinea. Through a survey of 2,000 households across Conakry’s five municipalities, we estimate households’ WTP for improved waste collection and evaluate whether a tax-based financing model could deliver both financial sustainability and greater equity. Summary of ICTD Working Paper 237.
