Towards Cleaner Lusaka: Deal with over 237 Large Truckloads Solid Waste Every Day

A Growing City Facing a Growing Challenge
Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, is home to over 2.2 million people and continues to grow rapidly. But with this growth comes a serious challenge: solid waste. According to a JICA survey in 2021, Lusaka discharges about 1,423 tons of waste per day, yet only 338 tons are collected. The remaining 1,085 tons—equivalent in volume to over 180 large truckloads*—are illegally dumped along roadsides, in drainage channels, or at illegal damping sites, posing health and environmental risks.

* The uncollected waste in Lusaka amounts to 1,085 tons per day. Assuming a standard large truck carries about 6 tons, this is equivalent to more than 180 truckloads of waste being dumped illegally across the city every single day. The volume of discharge per day, 1,423 tons, is equivalent to over 237 large truckloads.

The Chunga Landfill: Urgent Need for Improvement
Lusaka’s only official landfill, Chunga, has long struggled with poor waste management. Garbage is piled without planning, leachate contaminates nearby residential areas, and steep waste mounds risk collapsing. Waste pickers working on-site also face frequent accidents due to unsafe conditions.

Japan-Zambia Collaboration for a Cleaner Future
To address these issues, JICA launched the “Lusaka Clean City Project” (2022–2027). Japanese experts are working closely with the Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Company (LISWMC) to improve waste collection and landfill operations. Activities include building a transfer station, raising public awareness to reduce illegal dumping, and improving Chunga’s infrastructure.

Importantly, the Government of Zambia undertook major rehabilitation works at Chunga in 2023, while the Government of Japan has granted heavy machineries—such as bulldozers, excavators and tipper trucks—to support safe and efficient waste handling. The improvement plan also draws on Japan’s “Fukuoka Method”, a proven approach to sanitary landfill management that reduces environmental impact and enhances safety.

Build Sustainable Cities Together
This project is more than just technical cooperation—it’s about building sustainable cities together. Japan’s experience is helping Lusaka tackle real urban challenges, showing how international cooperation can make a lasting difference.