The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Mohinani Group are redefining Nigeria’s plastic waste challenge as an economic opportunity through a partnership that merges green manufacturing with job creation.
A recent visit by IFC’s Vice President of Corporate Support to the Sonnex rPET recycling facility in Ikorodu, Lagos, spotlighted the project’s growing impact on the circular economy. She hailed the facility as a powerful example of how private sector leadership and strategic investment can drive meaningful transformation in waste management and sustainability.
The Sonnex facility, developed under the IFC-Mohinani partnership, is designed to convert post-consumer plastic waste into high-grade packaging materials. With a target to process over 15,000 tonnes of plastic annually, the plant sources 90 percent of its raw materials from local waste collectors and small businesses. This not only reduces environmental pressure but also integrates informal workers and small enterprises into a formal, profit-driven value chain.
Beyond recycling, the project is expected to generate more than 4,000 jobs across Nigeria and Ghana, providing a significant boost to local economies while reinforcing the role of green industries in Africa’s development.
Mohinani Group’s CEO of Manufacturing said the initiative reflects the company’s broader commitment to sustainable industrialization, adding that it contributes to waste reduction, local capacity building, and the strengthening of Nigeria’s manufacturing base. He emphasized that partnerships between the public and private sectors remain critical in driving inclusive economic transformation.
Together, the IFC and Mohinani are demonstrating how environmental responsibility can be aligned with economic progress, offering a practical model for circular economies across Africa.
