Paper and paperboard waste market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the paper and paperboard waste market in Kenya fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 36 051 tons in 2018 and reaching 42 542 tons by 2023. Domestic production remained steady at 38 000 tons annually, meaning changes in market size were primarily driven by trade dynamics, with imports and exports varying significantly year to year. A notable decline occurred in 2021, when market volume dropped to 33 319 tons as exports surged to 7 141 tons.

The launch of the Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO) in 2021 aimed to foster manufacturer collaboration and advance circular economy goals in waste management, including paper recycling. This was followed by the enactment of the Sustainable Waste Management Act in 2022, which established a legal framework for waste management and introduced extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations. These regulatory steps created a structure to improve waste collection and recycling, coinciding with the market's recovery to 37 496 tons in 2022.

Market growth accelerated in 2023, with volume rising to 42 542 tons. Major local recyclers like Kamongo Waste Paper and Cots Paper and Board Ltd supported market activity through their extensive collection and recycling operations. In 2024, the Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producer Responsibility) Regulations came into force, mandating producers to manage post-consumer waste and submit detailed plans, setting stricter rules for the sector's future development.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

In Kenya, paper and paperboard waste production remained unchanged in 2020, totaling 38,000 tonnes, which was the same level as in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% decrease, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, paper and paperboard waste production in Kenya declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 4,882 thousand US dollars, representing a 25.1% loss compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6,517 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 9.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Kenya declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 2,886 tonnes, showing a significant drop of 11.9% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 67.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 31.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda and India were the main buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Kenya, together accounting for 81.6% of total exports in kind, with other countries making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Kenya declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 371 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp loss of 34.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 72.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 35.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Uganda, India, and Pakistan—collectively represented 87.8% of the total export value for paper and paperboard waste from Kenya.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend during this period. From 2017 to 2018, there was a peak-to-trough amplitude of 14.6 times. In 2020, Kenya imported 1,365 tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, marking a 66.5% year-on-year decrease. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 4,441 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 1,360.4% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda (24.7% of imports in kind), Tanzania (22.1% of imports in kind), and Singapore (10.0% of imports in kind) held the largest shares of imports in kind, together comprising 56.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 29-fold difference between these years. In 2020, paper and paperboard waste imports into Kenya stood at 244 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp decrease of 72.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 880 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 2,643.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The partner structure for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with Singapore (22.5% of imports in value terms), Spain (13.8% of imports in value terms), and Uganda (10.7% of imports in value terms) together accounting for only 47.0% of total flows, and no single country achieving a dominant share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020