Lagos Unveils $400m Plan to Turn Trash Into Electricity in Epe

Lagos State has unveiled a $400 million Waste-to-Energy (WTE) project in Epe as part of a new strategy to convert mounting waste into electricity and combat climate-related risks such as flooding.

Announced at the Lagos Investors Summit 2.0 on Wednesday, the project aims to supply clean power to two million residents, reduce illegal dumping, and ease pressure on overstretched landfill sites. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the project would be delivered under a private-sector-led design, build, finance, and operate (DBFO) model.

“The Lagos State Government…reiterated its commitment to ensure a reduction of the quantum of waste ending up at the landfill sites with the adoption of new strategies such as Waste to Energy Plants,” Wahab said at the summit.

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With 80% of landfill space nearing capacity and 67% of households dumping refuse illegally, Lagos risks worsening urban flooding, particularly during peak rainfall, officials warned. The WTE plant is expected to address these challenges while delivering a projected 12% internal rate of return over 20 years, funded through electricity tariffs and tipping fees.

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The plant, to be sited in Epe, will convert municipal waste into energy and is aligned with the state’s climate action plan and Nigeria’s national energy transition goals.

Wahab also disclosed the launch of an Early Warning System for extreme weather events to support disaster preparedness and protect infrastructure.