What do you do when your technology equipment fails? Do you think of fixing it, or simply disposing of it? And if you dispose of it, how do you go about it?

Most people rarely pause to consider these questions. Yet, they lie at the heart of our waste disposal culture and the systems around us. In Kenya, one might point to the infamous Dandora dumpsite, a stark symbol of mounting e-waste growing larger as our consumption accelerates.

The digital age challenge

As Africa’s digital adoption surges, so does consumption. More devices mean more convenience, but also more waste.

The real question is: can we balance access and affordability with sustainability in the digital age?

Meet Deed Technologies

We had an opportunity to chat with Dennis Bett, Co-founder and CEO of Deed Technologies, an entrepreneur in the ClimAccelerator programme implemented by GrowthAfrica in partnership with Climate-KIC and funded by the IKEA Foundation.

His company is tackling technology waste head-on; not by discarding it, but by refurbishing and repurposing tech products that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Innovation through repurposing

Deed Technologies’ model is simple yet powerful: by giving used tech a second life, they are:

• Extending device value

• Creating affordability

• Fueling the circular economy

This demonstrates that innovation is not always about creating something new, sometimes it’s about rethinking what already exists and finding new ways for it to serve communities.

A surprising data point

One striking insight from our conversation: Kenya now consumes up to 80% refurbished tech, a 20% increase from last year, according to Counterpoint Research.

This is not a marginal shift. It signals a growing appreciation and acceptance of refurbished products. More importantly, it points to a wider transformation in how Africans may engage with technology going forward.

Impact beyond waste reduction

The benefits of refurbished tech go far beyond reducing e-waste.

• Job creation: refurbishing creates employment opportunities for skilled and entry-level workers.

• Cost savings: consumers access affordable devices without compromising quality.

• Local economic growth: communities build trust in sustainable technology solutions.

Deed Technologies proves that Africa’s innovation story is not only digital but also sustainable.

A question for all of us

So the next time your device fails, ask yourself:

• Could it be refurbished?

• Could it be reused?

• Could it still fuel opportunity rather than adding to the waste challenge?

If Kenya can rethink technology consumption in this way, what other industries across Africa are ready for the same shift?