Sustainable digital transformation and E-waste management in Africa: An ecological modernisation perspective

Abstract

• Comparative review of digital transformation and e-waste management in ten African countries. • Ecological Modernisation Theory frames sustainable alignment of digital and environmental policies. • South Africa, Rwanda, and Egypt show strong policy alignment; others lag due to weak infrastructure. • Circular economy models and digital tools enhance e-waste management sustainability. • Policy reform and regional collaboration are critical for Africa’s green digital future. Africa’s rapid digital expansion has accelerated innovation and connectivity while simultaneously intensifying electronic waste (e-waste) generation, creating complex sustainability and governance challenges. E-waste disposal poses a significant sustainability challenge due to the serious environmental and health risks associated with improper disposal. Using an Ecological Modernisation Theoretical (EMT) framework, this study assesses coherence between digital transformation and e-waste policies across ten African countries. The study derives propositions from EMT and applies a semi-quantitative Policy Alignment Scoring Framework (PAS-F) to evaluate policy maturity, technological integration, and stakeholder collaboration. The results identify three alignment typologies, including frontrunners, transitional states, and laggards, that reflect differences in regulatory coherence, technological capacity, and institutional coordination. However, the analysis reveals that policy maturity alone does not guarantee effective management. Countries such as Ghana demonstrate that without stakeholder integration, regulatory mechanisms fail to capture informal material flows, confirming the EMT premise that technological and social systems must co-evolve. The results suggest regional harmonisation, the inclusion of informal recyclers, and the adoption of circular-economy incentives to achieve sustainable digital transformation in Africa. The findings of this study contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable development and are of interest to researchers, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and environmental advocates.