We are pleased to announce our Hero Spotlight of the Month: 2022 ABH 2022 Top 10 Hero, Prince Agbata, the founder and business development manager, Coliba Waste Management Services Limited, a leading West African social enterprise focused on plastic recycling. Known for his innovative thinking, Prince pioneered Ghana’s first community plastic buy-back scheme, an "Uber for plastics", that leverages mobile and SMS platforms to connect households with informal waste collectors. The model not only incentivizes responsible waste disposal but also formalizes and dignifies the work of waste pickers who are too often overlooked.
Coliba has emerged as a key player in Africa’s green economy. Its model is rooted in community engagement and digital accessibility, enabling individuals to recycle plastic in exchange for redeemable points, while informal collectors, most of whom are women, earn consistent income and social recognition. The collected plastics are processed into food-grade granules that support both local manufacturing and export, helping build a sustainable circular supply chain.
In April 2025, Coliba was selected as one of ten Ghanaian SMEs to receive funding under the Circular Economy Framework for the Plastics Sector (CEF‑PS), a $7 million initiative led by Ghana’s Ministry of Environment in partnership with UNIDO and supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The program aims to create 7,000 jobs and recover over 93,000 tonnes of plastic waste over five years, with Coliba among the first recipients.
Building on this momentum, Coliba partnered with the Mohinani Group in August 2024 to support the development of a local bottle-to-bottle circular economy. This collaboration aims to reduce reliance on plastic exports and keep more recycled material within Ghana, helping close the loop on the country’s plastic lifecycle by 2030.
Most recently, in July 2025, Coliba announced a strategic partnership with blockchain company Plastiks. This collaboration is enabling traceability and transparency in plastic recovery operations and has already shown measurable results. In 2023 alone, Coliba’s system supported over 6,200 informal waste collectors, 85% of whom are women, and facilitated the generation of $420,000 in additional income for participants. The goal is to reach $1 million in income by 2026 through expanded data integration, traceable credits, and tech-enhanced engagement with collectors.
Coliba’s impact continues to grow, driven by innovation, strategic partnerships, and a deep commitment to sustainability. With support from development partners, the Ghanaian government, and the private sector, Coliba is redefining what’s possible in plastic recovery, and offering a model for circular economy success across Africa.
Coliba’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Congratulations to Prince and the entire team on their remarkable achievements from all of us in the ABH community.
