As Lusaka continues to grow, waste management remains a challenge. Enter SmartWaste Lusaka, a data-driven pilot project built by students at the Hub to help the Lusaka City Council optimize waste collection routes.

Using GPS-enabled smart bins and IoT sensors, the team developed a dashboard that tracks bin fill levels and sends alerts to collection trucks. In its 3-month pilot in Kalingalinga, the project reduced overflow incidents by 38%.

“We didn’t just build a system — we built a proof that technology can solve civic problems,” says project lead, Esther Phiri.

The Hub continues to expand SmartWaste with funding from ZICTA’s Innovation Fund and partnerships with Mulungushi University’s ICT Department.