Africa
has one of the fastest growing information sections in the world with
an ever increasing demand for reasonably priced electronic equipment.
Ikeja Computer Village, just outside Lagos in Nigeria is one of three
major hubs for the resale of used electronics into Africa. Everything
from computers to televisions to mobile phones can be found there for
sale. On the surface it would seem like a perfect set up, with used
goods coming in from Europe, USA and Japan in containers which are
then bought by resellers. However, this sadly is not the case because
up to and including 75% of shipments contain nothing more than
irreparable junk (Computer and Allied Product
Dealers Association of
Nigeria). Although villages like Ikeja have a flourishing and
accomplished repair market, it does not have the capacity to deal
with electronic waste in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
Western importers are aware of this but continue to dump vast amounts
of waste, legally, through the guise of recycling. In this three part
series I am going to explore the problems facing the largely
unregulated global trade of e-waste using Ikeja as a focus for
example.
Source: Environews: Spheres of Influence, 2006
