Nitale M’Balikine KROU^1,, Ogouvidé AKPAKI¹, Sassou MEGNASSAN¹, Kwamivi Nyonuwosro SEGBEAYA¹, Gnon BABA^{1, 2}

The rapid population growth in the city of Sokodé over recent decades has significantly increased household solid waste generation, currently estimated at approximately sixty-one (61) tons per day. Despite this growing waste stream, the efficiency of waste management services particularly the pre-collection stage remains limited. This study addresses a critical research gap by investigating the underlying factors responsible for the low subscription rate to pre-collection services, an area that has received limited attention in the context of medium-sized cities in West Africa. A survey was conducted across all thirty-three (33) neighborhoods of Sokodé, targeting 336 households and 28 institutional and commercial structures, including markets, hotels, bar-restaurants, schools, and a training center. Findings reveal an average subscription rate of les than 30% to pre-collection services. By analyzing several performance indicators, the study highlights the inefficiencies in the current system. The low subscription rate is primarily attributed to economic barriers such as affordability and irregular income and socio-institutional factors like low awareness and lack of trust in service providers. The study’s findings have practical implications for policymakers, urban planners, and service providers. They underline the need for targeted awareness campaigns, economic incentives, and institutional reforms to improve household participation in waste pre-collection systems. The results also provide a valuable empirical foundation for future interventions aimed at strengthening urban sanitation governance in similar urban contexts.

Subscription rate, cost, pre-collection, household, pre-collection service