EGYPT – The Egyptian Ministry of the Environment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Energy3 International (E3i) to convert solid waste into biofuel, hydrogen, and graphene for industries in Fayoum.
The governorate of Fayoum in Egypt is once again at the heart of a solid waste recovery project, after the inauguration in January 2022 of four biogas production units.
The Global Environment Facility had reportedly granted Egypt US$8 million to localize electronic and medical waste recycling technology.
It had equally granted Egypt US$8.1 million to carry out the Sustainable Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (PoPs) Project.
The project, also funded by the World Bank Group’s Pollution Management and Environmental Health Trust Fund (PMEH) with US$750,000, helped the country get rid of 1,000 tons of each toxic pesticide, and oils contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
The total cost of the project is US$23 million, mostly provided by a number of Egyptian ministries, given its positive impact on 1.4 million citizens directly, and 3.1 million indirectly.
Through this project, the Egyptian government wants to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. While biofuel is an alternative to fossil fuels, graphene promotes a circular economy in the building sector.
Hydrogen is presented as one of the main solutions for decarbonization in several sectors of the world economy.
The recycling of the solid waste in Fayoum is also expected to reduce CO2 emissions in the governorate by 500,000 tonnes per year.
The project will also produce fertilizer from organic waste, as well as create jobs in the waste sector.
Energy3 International will soon submit a proposed timetable for the start of the project to the Egyptian government.
Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, sees the construction of the Fayoum plant as part of the North African country’s policy to create appropriate landfills, intermediaries and recycling mechanisms, as well as to prepare operating contracts for transport and street sanitation operations, landfill operation and the construction of recycling plants.
The third axis of the Egyptian government’s plan includes technical and institutional support and community participation, and the involvement of the private sector, civil society, and the informal sector.
Liked this article? Subscribe to DealStreet Africa News, our regular email newsletter with the latest news, deals, and insights from Africa’s business, economy, and more. SUBSCRIBE HERE
