A facilitator and a participant at a session during the master class
The Pan-African Industrial Cleaning Academy (PAICA) recently concluded its landmark first physical Industrial Cleaning Master Class – an unprecedented initiative that brings intellectual direction, standardization, and inclusive practice to Africa’s industrial cleaning sector in Abuja.
Speaking at the at end of the training held on Tuesday, 10 February, Amb Olubunmi David Fagbuyiro, the founder of PAICA, harped on the importance of the initiative and reform of the cleaning sector to enable full harnessing of its potential for job creation, eradication of poverty and sustainable development.
“We thank the inestimable PAICA team including the faculty and our students who genuinely believed in our capacity. Our mission is to address the critical intellectual gap in Africa’s industrial cleaning industry, introduce standardized practices, provide credible certification, and cultivate a culture of professionalism across the continent. As the saying goes – if you don’t train them, you can’t blame them.”
The training made history as the first of its kind on the continent to feature full representation of people with disabilities alongside other seasoned cleaning professionals. Participants engaged in comprehensive courses including, Colour coding protocols for hygiene management, Leadership development in the cleaning industry, Basic Occupational Safety training, Dynamics of effective cleaning processes and Essential cleaning tools and machinery operation
“The initiative comes at a critical time for Africa, which is often cited as the world’s dirtiest continent. According to 2025 data, Chad faces the most polluted air globally and across Africa, while countries including Chad, Ethiopia, Niger, DR Congo, and Nigeria grapple with severe sanitation challenges and inadequate waste management systems.
“PAICA is calling on cleaning companies, hotels, manufacturers of cleaning solutions, and all industry stakeholders to join the reform movement,” Fagbuyiro said.
“We cannot transform the industry without first transforming its practitioners. Together, we can rewrite Africa’s narrative and build a cleaner, safer, more professional industrial cleaning sector that serves our continent’s growing needs.”
The PAICA CEO further added that the aim of the Academy is to transform Africa’s industrial cleaning sector through specialized training, capacity building, and advocacy for sustainable practices.
“We bridge the gap between traditional cleaning methods and modern, eco-conscious standards by equipping professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to deliver high-quality cleaning services while protecting our environment. Our programs – including physical master classes, online modules, and certification exams – cover areas such as technical cleaning techniques, social media for cleaning entrepreneurs (“Cleantrepreneurs”), and the implementation of green cleaning solutions across diverse industries.
The PAICA boss further added that the Academy supporting cleaning practitioners and promoting eco-friendly solutions for the practice. In this instance, he said PAICA has training modules on Sustainable Practices through which practitioners are educated on use of biodegradable cleaning agents, water-efficient equipment, and waste reduction strategies that minimize environmental impact while maintaining hygiene standards.
He added that the Academy’s certified programs are designed to ensure that cleaning professionals meet pan-African quality benchmarks for eco-friendly service delivery, enhancing their credibility and market competitiveness.
In addition, Fagbuyiro said the Academy create platforms for practitioners to exchange best practices, access research on African-specific environmental challenges, and adopt innovative green technologies tailored to our continent’s needs and also is also involved in advocacy to integrate eco-friendly cleaning requirements into industry regulations and organizational policies, driving systemic change across Africa.
“We invite cleaning companies, hotels, cleaning managers and supervisors, government agencies, and all relevant stakeholders to partner with us. Recruit our certified professionals to elevate your cleaning services, collaborate with us to implement sustainable cleaning policies in your organizations, or support our initiatives to build a skilled, eco-conscious workforce across Africa. Together, we can ensure that industrial cleaning contributes to preserving our continent’s natural resources and building a better future for all,” Fagbuyiro concluded.
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