The move comes in the wake of increased interest in e-waste management by countries in the region including Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria and Tanzania, which are pushing for regulations to support the recycling of obsolete computers, mobile phones, refrigerators and television sets. African governments say that the continent has continued to be a dumping ground for electronic equipment from the developed world.

MTN will roll out e-waste collection points at key publicly accessible sites including schools, shopping malls and many other public places in a bid to collect mobile-phone e-waste, regardless of network operator or handset manufacturers.

The MTN-GIZ partnership will also work to ensure that recyclers receive a steady and sizeable supply of e-waste.

The recyclers will be monitored by MTN to ensure they abide by approved and acceptable e-waste handling processes and protocol.

"This partnership will help us to increase public awareness about the e-waste problems and provide assurance to MTN that e-waste is being handled appropriately in line with acceptable standards," said Christian de Faria, an MTN Group senior vice president.