Bridging Plastic Data Gaps in African Island States brings together leading experts, practitioners, and policymakers to address one of the most critical yet underdeveloped aspects of tackling plastic pollution data. Scheduled for 21 April 2026, this 90-minute session will set the stage by introducing the IslandPlas initiative and its role in advancing circular solutions across African island contexts. Through keynote presentations, participants will gain insights from global and regional experiences, including lessons from large-scale initiatives and field-based realities in East Africa. The session is designed to be highly interactive, incorporating live polls and guided discussions to capture the diversity of challenges faced across island states.
Building on these insights, the webinar will transition into a focused panel discussion exploring practical methodologies for plastic waste data collection, the limitations of existing systems, and how improved data can inform policy, planning, and investment decisions. Ground-level perspectives from island contexts such as Madagascar will highlight real-world constraints and opportunities for innovation. The session will conclude by identifying actionable priorities and collaboration opportunities to strengthen data systems, ensuring that participants leave with clear, practical takeaways. Overall, the webinar positions data not just as a technical requirement, but as a strategic foundation for driving effective, scalable, and community-centered solutions to plastic pollution in African island states.
Agenda
| Time | Session | Content / Focus | Lead / Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 min | Welcome & Setting the Scene | - Welcome remarks - Introduction to IslandPlas by moderator and webinar objectives - Short audience poll (country, data challenges, expectations. | Welcome Remarks Rocamora Magali (Moderator) |
| 30 min | Keynote Presentations | Joao Matos de Sousa: Lessons from global plastic waste data initiatives: insights from the Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI) project.
Dipesh Pabari: Field experience on data collection; key gaps and practical lessons from East Africa contexts.
Moderator: guided Q&A / live poll after each presentation | Rocamora Magali Joao Matos de Sousa Dipesh Pabari |
| 30 min | Panel Dis Addressing Plastic Data Gaps in Island Contexts cussion — Addressing Plastic Data Gaps in Island Contexts | David Dupré La Tour: Data collection methodologies (waste characterisation and related approaches) and how these data can be used to inform public policy and planning.
Clarence Razakamiaja: Ground-level realities from Madagascar's National Plastic Waste Profile methodology challenges, data availability constraints, and key lessons from fieldwork in an island context
Moderator: guided Q&A and live audience poll | Moderator + Panelists: Rocamora Magali David Dupré La Tour Clarence Razakamiaja |
| 10 min | Quick-Win Solutions & Collaboration | - Identify 3-4 actionable priorities to strengthen plastic waste data collection and valorisation - Audience poll on capacity-building and technical support needs | IslandPlas Project Officers |
| 10 min | Closing Reflections | - Summary of key messages and lessons. - Acknowledgement of speakers and partners | Rocamora Magali (Moderator) |