In Kano, northern Nigeria, second-hand electronics imported from Europe, America, and Asia are flooding markets like Sabon Gari, where low-income buyers seek affordable appliances. Many of these goods, often near the end of their lifespan, arrive damaged or fail shortly after purchase, worsening the country’s growing electronic waste problem. According to the United Nations, about 60,000 tonnes of used electronics enter Nigeria annually, with at least 15,700 tonnes already defective upon arrival.

The trade, largely driven by exporters from Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, China, the United States, and Ireland, often violates the Basel Convention, which restricts hazardous waste exports to developing nations. Informal recyclers in Kano dismantle broken devices without protection, exposing themselves to toxic substances such as mercury and refrigerant gases banned in Western countries. Health experts warn of serious respiratory, neurological, and reproductive risks linked to such exposure.

Despite Nigeria’s environmental regulations and inspections, weak enforcement and loopholes allow mislabeled shipments to enter the country. Environmental advocates and traders call for stricter border checks, certification systems, and international accountability to curb the inflow of unsafe electronic waste.