The International Round Table on Auto Recycling (IRT) will host a 60-minute webinar titled “Auto Recycling in Africa” on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The session will address the current state of vehicle processing across the continent, where the dismantling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) primarily occurs within informal markets due to a regional deficit in shredding facilities, authorized treatment centers, and regulatory enforcement.
The free-to-attend event features two automotive recycling specialists who will analyze the operational landscape from both policy and commercial viewpoints.
Dr. Kemjika Ajoku, former head of the industry division at the ECOWAS Commission, will present data from his active baseline study on the environmental management of ELV recycling in Nigeria. This research serves as a pilot framework for a broader West African recycling strategy. Drawing on his experience managing the West African Common Industrial Policy with UNIDO and the ECOWAS Automotive Industry Policy Framework, Ajoku will outline the metrics of Nigeria’s informal sector, the enforcement gaps in existing ELV regulations, and the economic strategy for developing formal recycling infrastructure utilizing Afreximbank’s automotive industry fund.
John Hunt, founder of South African vehicle dismantling firm Sparesboyz, will provide a commercial perspective based on 30 years of operating a specialized used-parts business. As an advocate for industrial standardization and formalization within South Africa’s ELV sector, Hunt will discuss practical end-of-life management workflows, current regulatory discrepancies, and the infrastructure required to transition the regional market toward professionalized standards.
The joint presentation delivers a comparative analysis of Africa’s recycling sector, balancing macro-level regional policies with micro-level frontline operational data. The webinar aims to define the market’s current scope, the obstacles to formalization, and the potential entry points for international recyclers, insurance providers, and automotive technology suppliers as the region’s processing infrastructure matures.
