The Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE) is a Lagos-based grassroots non-profit accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Established to promote sustainable development through research, policy dialogue, advocacy, and consultancy, PAVE works on development issues across their environmental and socio-economic dimensions, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, including water and sanitation, agricultural Value Chain promotion, Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate change and Clean Energy promotion, Waste Management including E-Waste, Chemical Management, Blue Economy, Ocean Citizen Awareness and literacy, and Stakeholder Engagement
With over 20 years of experience in the development sector, PAVE has worked at local, national, regional, and international levels, presenting research and organising capacity-building workshops on sustainable development across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
PAVE is a member of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and one of the implementing partners of the GAIA-led Multi-Solving Action to Methane Reduction in Nigeria (MAMRN) Project.
In this article, the third of a series, we spoke with Anthony Akpan, Founder of PAVE, about their work as a partner in Lagos for the project.
In this project, several GAIA members are participating in several activities. Can you share insights on best practices for collaborating with other organisations in Nigeria?
Collaboration works best when it is built on trust, respect, and clear communication.
In this project, PAVE has worked closely with GAIA members throughout our workshops and other activities, ensuring that each session runs smoothly, reaches participants effectively, and avoids duplication of efforts. Seeing everyone bring their expertise together to achieve shared goals has been inspiring and demonstrates how partnerships can multiply impact.
Rooting collaboration in local relationships has also been key. Engaging community leaders, local government representatives, and waste pickers early helped ensure that interventions were practical, culturally appropriate, and sustainable.
By staying open to learning from each other and adapting to on-the-ground realities, the partnership has consistently achieved stronger outcomes.
Flexibility and accountability remain central to success. Operating environments in Nigeria can change quickly, and having a spirit of co-creation, regular check-ins, and openness to feedback has allowed PAVE and GAIA to stay aligned while delivering meaningful results.
Could you share some perspective on the current waste crisis in Nigeria and how this project aims to address this?
Nigeria faces a significant waste management challenge, with millions of tons of organic waste generated each year and only a fraction properly collected or treated.
Open dumping, irregular collection systems, and limited infrastructure have led to environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and public health risks, while informal waste workers often operate in unsafe conditions without recognition or support.
The MAMRN Project addresses this crisis through a holistic approach that combines community engagement, practical solutions, and policy-level support. Through the project, PAVE is working to divert organic waste from landfills, promote community-level composting, and strengthen local government systems for more effective waste management, while building the capacity of households, waste pickers, and local authorities with the knowledge and tools to manage waste sustainably.
A practical example from Lagos illustrates the impact: PAVE has trained over 50 waste pickers and approximately 300 households on organic waste segregation, composting, and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) rearing.
Participants learned how to separate food and garden waste from general trash, which was then collected and converted into compost for local urban farms. Putting these practices into action not only reduces methane emissions but also provides valuable resources for the community.
Do you have a personal milestone or favourite moment in this project so far?
A personal milestone for us at PAVE has been supporting participants as they begin to apply what they are learning during our household and waste picker training in Lagos.
Seeing families and waste workers engage with organic waste segregation and composting in real time strongly affirms the project’s vision and highlights the potential for meaningful change on the ground.
Our favourite moments have been during live demonstrations of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) rearing and composting at the workshops. Observing participants’ curiosity, excitement, and hands-on engagement is incredibly inspiring.
Their enthusiasm underscores how knowledge becomes most impactful when experienced directly, and it reinforces the importance of practical, interactive learning in shaping both environmental practices and community action.
We have seen these key themes emerge in this project (Organic Waste Management, Infrastructure Development, Waste Picker Integration, Capacity Building and Awareness Raising, Local Government Engagement, National Policy Advocacy and Emissions Monitoring). Could you share experiences (as applicable) on any of these topics within this project so far?
Throughout the MAMRN project in Lagos, several key themes have guided PAVE’s work and shaped our impact. In organic waste management, households and communities have learned to transform food and garden waste into compost or feed for Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae.
On waste picker integration, informal waste workers received training and support to improve segregation practices and gain recognition within local waste systems. Seeing participants confidently separate organic waste for composting demonstrated both empowerment and practical impact.
Capacity building and awareness raising have been central to the project, with hands-on workshops bringing households and waste pickers together. Participants eagerly engaged in sorting exercises and BSF demonstrations, translating knowledge into real-world action.
Finally, through local government engagement, PAVE has worked closely with Lagos authorities to ensure that interventions align with municipal waste management plans, strengthen local infrastructure, and integrate informal workers into formal systems.
Together, these experiences show how training, collaboration, and practical, community-driven solutions can tackle Nigeria’s waste challenges, reduce methane emissions, and create meaningful environmental and social impact.
What is the path forward for your organisation and possible next steps from this project?
With the MAMRN project still underway, PAVE is focused on building on the progress made so far and ensuring the remaining activities have maximum impact. We continue to engage households, waste pickers, and local authorities in Lagos, reinforce hands-on solutions like composting and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) rearing, and encourage practical application of the skills learned.
Next steps include expanding ongoing training sessions, deepening community participation, and supporting local government efforts to better integrate informal waste workers into structured waste systems. We are also capturing lessons in real-time, allowing us to adapt and refine our approach as the project unfolds.
Looking ahead, PAVE is committed to turning knowledge into action, empowering communities to adopt sustainable waste practices, and contributing to Nigeria’s methane reduction goals — one household, one waste picker, and one composting initiative at a time. The journey is ongoing, and the best outcomes are still ahead.
