Managing e-waste from off-grid solar systems in Kenya: Do investors have a role to play?

Over the past decade, market for off-grid solar (OGS) systems providing affordable sources of energy has seen a remarkable expansion in many developing countries where coverage by electricity grid is limited. The observed growth been fuelled provision finance variety foreign investors to private suppliers such systems. development OGS plays an important part meeting imperative ensuring access sustainable and all. However, increasing awareness criticism have emerged about generation electronic waste (e-waste) from products as unintended negative side effect their diffusion. In this paper, we explore whether how dominant system providers Kenya, country that experienced rapid its market, reacted concerns e-waste changing funding modalities practices. Our analysis based on in-depth interviews carried out with diverse sample international industry experts. We find most not incorporated requirements managing beyond mere box-ticking exercise due diligence monitoring compliance mechanisms. Hence, currently priority investors, which raises questions overall environmental sustainability investments. To extent some devoted attention improving management, efforts appear motivated potential risks reputations. also Global Off-Grid Lighting Association – global association sector role making aware link between investments adverse impacts e-waste. Since supplier firms are start-ups concerned viable businesses, do want impose another cost burden them requiring introduction elaborate management investment criteria. Furthermore, our highlight lack adequate transport recycling infrastructures pressures regulation key barriers discuss relevance these findings strategies best tackle emerging problem devices.