Abidjan Youth Push Back Against Rising Urban Waste Crisis
Young residents in Abidjan are leading a growing grassroots movement against poor waste management, using activism and community clean-ups to protest what they describe as worsening sanitation conditions in the city.
Slogans such as “Our streets aren’t bins” have become rallying cries among youth groups demanding stronger municipal action on garbage collection and urban cleanliness.
The movement has gained traction in densely populated neighbourhoods where overflowing waste, blocked drainage systems, and irregular refuse collection have become persistent challenges, especially during heavy rains.
Activists say the situation poses not only an environmental problem but also a public health risk, contributing to flooding, disease outbreaks, and declining quality of life in low-income communities.
City authorities have acknowledged ongoing difficulties in waste management, citing rapid urban growth and infrastructure constraints, while pledging to improve collection systems and expand sanitation services.
The youth-led campaign is increasingly being seen as part of a wider shift in civic engagement, with younger residents using social media and local organising to demand accountability and cleaner urban spaces.
