In Bamako, Mali’s rapidly growing capital, donkey carts have become an essential tool in the fight against mounting waste. As the city’s population has more than doubled in recent years, the local infrastructure has struggled to keep up, leaving piles of garbage to dominate the streets. With limited state intervention and inadequate waste management infrastructure, residents have turned to donkey carts as a practical solution for trash collection.
Diallo, who named his two donkeys Keita and Kanté, uses them to navigate the congested streets of Bamako, collecting garbage directly from households. This method allows him to earn up to $166 a month, a significant income in a country with high unemployment rates. For many, donkey carts offer an affordable and accessible alternative to expensive motorized vehicles, especially on the city’s rough roads where trucks often cannot go.
“The advantage of using donkeys for this can’t be overestimated,” says Mamadou Sidibé, a manager at one of Bamako’s dump sites. He notes that the carts can reach areas inaccessible to cars, making them indispensable in the city’s waste management efforts. However, this informal network operates entirely outside of government control, raising concerns about the welfare of the animals involved. Advocacy groups argue that some donkeys are overburdened, working long hours in harsh conditions without adequate protection.
The challenges of waste management in Bamako are further compounded by the lack of proper infrastructure. Ideally, collected waste should be transferred to a landfill that meets international standards, but such facilities are virtually nonexistent in the city. The World Bank approved $250 million in 2022 to help rehabilitate an existing landfill and build a new one, but construction has yet to begin. Waste management experts, like Bamadou Sidibé, criticize the state for failing to build the necessary infrastructure to cope with the city’s growing waste problem.
Local authorities acknowledge the issue but place the blame on residents, accusing them of not caring about their environment or health. Deputy Mayor Adama Kanté claims that many people refuse to pay for waste disposal, opting instead to dump their trash into the streets or waterways, particularly during the rainy season when it can be washed away. This has led to the creation of large garbage mounds, which some residents sift through in search of items to reuse or sell, despite the health risks.
The situation in Bamako reflects a broader challenge faced by many African capitals, where rapid urbanization outpaces the development of essential services. Without significant improvements in waste management infrastructure and a change in public attitudes, the problem is likely to worsen. The ongoing reliance on donkey carts, while effective in the short term, underscores the need for a more sustainable and humane solution to the city’s waste crisis.
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