UN body warns Kenya over total gadget ban

The United Nations trade body has warned Kenya against imposing a blanket ban on the import of used electronic gadgets, saying the policy could negatively impact the affordability of the devices and slow down efforts to reduce the digital divide.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has said that anti-dumping rules should be balanced “with the opportunity to harness the circular economy and development opportunities arising from international trade in used electronic and electrical equipment.”

The agency listed Kenya — along with Uganda and Ghana — as countries in Africa that have reportedly banned the import of digital waste, including used items.

“While there is a clear need to ban the import of digitalisation waste that does not serve legitimate purposes, the case for a complete ban on the import of used, functional digital equipment may not be as straightforward,” UNCTAD wrote in its Digital Economy Report 2024.

“If equipment is reusable, is actually used and can be repaired or refurbished, it can add value, create jobs and increase affordability, bridging the digital divide and thus contributing to development goals.”

In January 2020, the Kenya National Environment Management Authority banned the import of used electronic gadgets to save the country from becoming an e-waste dump.

The ban mainly affected electronic gadgets, old computers and laptops donated by donors and international corporations to schools and other institutions in the country.

However, it is still common for refurbished laptops, desktop computers and mobile phones that are reaching the end of their useful life to be imported into the country in shipments along with other goods.

“Some countries may ban imports of used equipment to encourage the development of domestic electronics production,” UNCTAD researchers said.