Services: Capacity Building & Technology Transfer

As the only intergovernmental regional centre serving English-speaking African countries, the Africa Institute provides comprehensive services to support the environmentally sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes. Established in 2009 as both a Basel Convention Regional Centre (BCRC) and Stockholm Convention Regional Centre (SCRC), we deliver expert technical assistance, capacity building, and strategic support aligned with the Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, and Minamata Conventions.

Capacity Building

We conduct a thorough organisational assessment and help countries and organisations to identify and create a plan to address their immediate and long-term capacity building needs. Our approach encompasses Institutional Capacity Strengthening to enhance technical knowledge and internal systems. We conduct trainings and workshops on the implementation of the Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, and Minamata Conventions, significantly improving reporting and compliance for member states.

We are committed to create learning environments and social change laboratories. We enable countries and organisations and their staff to make better use of trends analysis, social research and outcome evaluation data to design superior programs and advocacy campaigns and to advance ongoing strategic thinking and action.

The Conference of the Parties, in its decision BC-11/1 on Follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention, thus mandated an expert working group to further elaborate and implement actions on initial short-term work items as listed in annex II to that decision, within available resources, and to develop a work programme for additional priorities and key work items and actions for the implementation of environmentally sound management.

Training & Professional Development

Comprehensive Training Programs

Our training programs are designed to build lasting capacity across all levels of environmental governance, from policy makers to field practitioners. We deliver targeted, results-oriented training that addresses the specific needs of member states.

Technical Training Areas

Training Delivery Methods

• Regional workshops and seminars
• Country-specific technical assistance
• Study tours and knowledge exchange programs
• Online learning platforms and webinars
• Train-the-trainer programs for sustainability
• Hands-on pilot projects and demonstrations

Target Audiences

Our training programs serve diverse stakeholder groups including:

• Government officials and environmental regulators
• Environmental enforcement officers and inspectors
• Laboratory technicians and analysts
• Customs and border control personnel
• Industry representatives and private sector
• Civil society organizations and community leaders

Strategic Planning & Institutional Development

We assist member states and organizations in developing comprehensive strategic frameworks aligned with international environmental agreements. Our strategic planning services position institutions for long-term success and sustainable impact.

Strategic Planning Services

• Institutional Capacity Assessment: Comprehensive SWOT and PESTEL analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
• Strategic Plan Development: Multi-year planning aligned with Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, and Minamata Conventions
• Governance Framework Design: Policy development, procurement systems, and financial management frameworks
• Performance Monitoring: Balanced Scorecard implementation for tracking institutional progress across financial, operational, stakeholder, and learning perspectives
• Organizational Development: Staff competency frameworks, knowledge management systems, and institutional culture enhancement

Policy Development & Legal Support

We provide comprehensive support for developing and implementing robust legal frameworks for chemicals and waste management, addressing one of the most critical challenges facing the region.

Legal and Institutional Strengthening

• Legislative Development: Assistance in drafting and enacting national legislation for MEA implementation, including domestication of international conventions
• Policy Harmonization: Regional coordination for consistent regulatory approaches across borders
• Compliance Systems: Development of chemical registration systems, Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedures, and enforcement mechanisms
• Institutional Framework Design: Establishing governance structures, operational procedures, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms
• Regulatory Gap Analysis: Identifying weaknesses in existing legal frameworks and proposing improvements

Addressing Regional Legal Challenges

Our policy services directly address critical gaps including:

• Inadequate regulatory frameworks for chemicals and waste management
• Weak enforcement mechanisms and limited institutional capacity
• Lengthy legislative processes and under-resourced legal systems
• Dual legal systems requiring convention domestication
• Cross-border coordination and illegal trade prevention

Research, Data & Knowledge Management

We conduct evidence-based research and maintain comprehensive data systems to inform policy and decision-making across the region, addressing critical information gaps.

Research and Information Services

• Needs Assessment Studies: Identifying capacity gaps, priority intervention areas, and resource requirements
• Chemical and Waste Inventories: Comprehensive data collection on imports, use, generation, and disposal patterns
• Environmental Impact Analysis: Assessment of health and environmental risks from hazardous substances
• Knowledge Sharing Platforms: Facilitating information exchange among stakeholders, researchers, and practitioners
• Technical Documentation: Development of guidelines, best practices, manuals, and information materials
• Trend Analysis: Monitoring emerging chemicals of concern and waste management challenges

Regional Challenges We Address

Information Dissemination

The main objective of this activity area is to raise awareness of, and build capacity in, modern integrated waste management systems. Raising public awareness with respect to waste management issues is an important issue in the African countries.

We actively address regional challenges such as low public awareness and data gaps. Our strategy involves enhancing awareness of the Institute’s role and impact through high-level engagements and collaboration with global, regional, and civil society partners. The public are the major customers/beneficiaries of the existing solid waste management systems (irrespective of whether it is municipal, industrial, or hazardous wastes), but only a small proportion of these customers are typically aware of what happens to their country’s waste, and the full extent of services being provided.

Awareness Raising & Public Education

We design and implement comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate communities, policymakers, and stakeholders about hazardous chemicals and waste management, addressing the critical challenge of low public awareness across the region.

Public Awareness Programs

• High-Level Advocacy: Engagement at ministerial and parliamentary levels to secure political commitment and resource allocation
• Community Education: Grassroots awareness campaigns on chemical safety, proper waste handling, and environmental protection
• Media Campaigns: Public information dissemination through radio, television, print, and digital channels
• Educational Materials: Development of culturally appropriate and multilingual resources, including brochures, posters, and videos
• Stakeholder Consultations: Facilitated dialogues among government, industry, civil society, and affected communities
• School and University Programs: Integration of environmental education into curricula and youth engagement initiatives

Focus Areas

• Risks of hazardous chemicals and poor waste management practices
• Safe handling, storage, and disposal procedures
• Consumer choices and their environmental impact
• Protection of vulnerable groups (children, informal workers, low-literacy populations)
• Environmental justice and community rights
• Benefits of sound chemicals and waste management for public health and economic development

Technology Transfer

Africa Institute is committed to deliver training, we also provide dissemination of information, consulting, awareness raising activities and technology transfer on matters relevant to the implementation of the Basel Convention and to the environmentally sound management of hazardous and other wastes in the countries we serve.

Regional Projects

Our innovative programs include major regional projects that facilitate technology transfer and capacity building:

• SADC PCBs Elimination Project: Disposal of PCB oils contained in transformers and capacitors in 12 Southern African countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). Commenced in 2016 and ongoing, assisting countries to meet Stockholm Convention obligations.
• SA PCB Project: Environmentally Sound Management and Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in the Republic of South Africa. Ongoing since 2020.
• National Implementation Plans (NIPs): Assisting Parties to the Stockholm Convention (including Uganda, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Gambia) to update their NIPs to address new POPs listings.
• Circular Economy in Textiles: Promotion of circular economy in the textile and garment sector through sustainable management of chemicals and waste in Lesotho, Madagascar, South Africa, and Ethiopia.
• African ChemObs: Integrated Health and Environment Observatories and Legal and Institutional Strengthening for the Sound Management of Chemicals in Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe), including DDT stockpile disposal in Ethiopia.
• Mercury Initial Assessment: Creating an enabling environment for the early implementation of the Minamata Convention in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, and Namibia.
• NAP-ASGM: Development of National Action Plans for Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining in Burundi, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Kenya, Eswatini, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
• Small Grants Programmes: Collaboration with BRS Convention Secretariats implementing targeted projects in selected countries for improved waste management.

With expert technical staff highly skilled in hazardous and other wastes management and maintenance provides the backbone of our training and consulting services. A creative, innovative technology team brings the training to our clients in a highly engaging, entertaining and effective methodology.

Specific Activities

The specific activities are:

• training workshops,
• seminars,
• pilot projects on the management of priority waste streams,
• the production of information material and guidelines.

With the current shortage of industrial skills talent it is often necessary to build from within. Africa Institute’s industrial skills training in operations and maintenance provide a targeted, cost effective way to grow your workforce. Our experienced consultants work with you to implement the processes necessary for maximum efficiency.

Partnership Development & Stakeholder Engagement

We facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration to enhance regional capacity, leverage resources, and create synergies across the chemicals and waste management sector.

Strategic Partnerships

• International Partnerships: Close collaboration with UNEP, UNIDO, UNITAR, and the Secretariats of the Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, and Minamata Conventions
• Academic Partnerships: Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with research institutions and universities to enhance research capacity and innovation
• Private Sector Engagement: Industry collaboration for technology transfer, innovation, and sustainable business practices
• Civil Society Collaboration: Partnerships with NGOs for grassroots implementation, community engagement, and advocacy
• Regional Integration: Linkages with SADC, ECOWAS, and African Union to align environmental priorities with regional development agendas
• Donor Engagement: Strategic relationships with GEF, bilateral donors, and development partners

Partnership Achievements

Stakeholder Engagement Strategy

Our engagement approach includes:

• Annual Governing Council meetings for strategic direction and oversight
• Regular consultations with member states on capacity needs and priorities
• Technical working groups for specialized areas (when established)
• Participation in international conferences and conventions meetings
• Bilateral engagements with non-ratified countries to encourage membership
• Multi-stakeholder platforms for knowledge sharing and coordination

Project Development & Resource Mobilization

We provide end-to-end support for developing and implementing impactful environmental projects, ensuring financial sustainability and effective delivery of regional priorities.

Project Development Services

• Proposal Development: High-quality project proposals for GEF, Global Framework on Chemicals, bilateral donors, and multilateral sources
• Project Design: Results-based frameworks aligned with donor requirements and national priorities
• Budget Development: Comprehensive financial planning, cost estimation, and resource allocation
• Implementation Support: Project management, coordination, monitoring, and adaptive management
• Evaluation Services: Mid-term and final evaluations using Balanced Scorecard methodology and results-based frameworks
• Reporting Systems: Technical and financial reporting to donors, stakeholders, and conventions

Resource Mobilization Strategy

Project Management Framework

We are developing a robust project development and implementation framework to ensure:

• Systematic needs assessment and project identification
• Alignment with member state priorities and MEA obligations
• Quality assurance in proposal development
• Efficient project implementation and timely delivery
• Transparent financial management and accountability
• Regular monitoring and adaptive management
• Knowledge capture and lessons learned documentation

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

We implement robust M&E frameworks to track progress, demonstrate impact, and ensure accountability to member states, donors, and stakeholders.

Performance Monitoring Services

• Balanced Scorecard Implementation: Multi-perspective performance tracking across financial, customer (member state), internal process, and learning & growth dimensions
• Indicator Development: SMART indicators for measuring outputs, outcomes, and impacts
• Progress Reporting: Quarterly and annual performance reports to Governing Council and stakeholders
• Impact Evaluation: Assessment of long-term environmental, health, and socioeconomic outcomes
• Adaptive Management: Data-driven decision-making and course correction based on M&E findings
• Risk Management: Identification, monitoring, and mitigation of strategic and operational risks

Reporting Support for Member States

• MEA national reporting assistance (Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, Minamata Conventions)
• Project progress and financial reporting to donors
• Donor accountability and transparency systems
• Results-based management frameworks
• Data collection and management systems

Key Performance Questions

Our M&E framework addresses critical questions:

• Financial: Is the Institute financially sustainable and mobilizing adequate resources?
• Customer: Are member states and partners satisfied with the support and engagement provided?
• Internal Process: Are institutional and project processes efficient and aligned with strategic priorities?
• Learning & Growth: Are staff skills, systems, and infrastructure continuously improving to support delivery?