Abstract
Rapid urbanisation and changing consumption patterns have intensified municipal solid waste-management challenges across African cities, where conventional collection is constrained by inadequate infrastructure, limited finance, irregular scheduling and weak information flows. Internet of Things (IoT) technologies offer opportunities for real-time monitoring, demand-responsive scheduling and data-supported decision-making, but technological capability alone cannot ensure successful transformation because waste management is embedded in institutional, infrastructural and social systems. This study examines the potential for digital transformation of municipal waste collection using Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, Nigeria, as a case study and develops a socio-technical framework for implementation. A mixed-method design was employed using 380 valid household questionnaires, interviews with 20 key stakeholders and field observations. Descriptive statistics, mean scores and Relative Importance Index (RII) were used for quantitative analysis, while qualitative evidence was thematically interpreted. Respondents reported favourable expectations regarding IoT-enabled collection, particularly collection frequency (mean = 3.80; RII = 0.760), response time (mean = 3.83; RII = 0.765) and overall service improvement (mean = 3.67; RII = 0.734). Real-time monitoring and decision-making received the highest rating (mean = 4.12; RII = 0.824), while government incentives were the most highly rated implementation requirement (mean = 4.07; RII = 0.814). Electricity reliability, technical capacity, funding and internet connectivity were comparatively weaker. The study concludes that Abuja has a favourable social basis for digital transformation but requires stronger institutional and infrastructural foundations. A socio technical framework integrating technology, infrastructure, institutions, finance, operational capacity and public participation is proposed as a pathway for smart waste transformation in African cities.