Amidst rising global and national inequality, electronic waste (e-waste) management has emerged as a livelihood strategy for some marginalized youth in Ghana. Regional social and economic inequalities that encourage migration from rural areas in the northern part of the country to urban southern areas sustain the industry. In Accra, a neighborhood called Agbogbloshie hosts the country’s primary repository for domestic and imported e-waste. There, workers rely on manual recycling and scavenging practices that disproportionately expose them to health-threatening environmental hazards. Since the early 2010s, Agbogbloshie has received significant attention from national and international media outlets. It was (and sometimes erroneously still is) described as the world’s largest e-waste dump. Many of the e-waste workers in Agbogbloshie are between 18 and 29. This period, commonly described as emerging adulthood, is critical for psychosocial development. As youth transition to adulthood, the identity development process that initiates in adolescence intensifies as they develop a greater capacity for self-reflection and increased awareness of societal perspectives and expectations. Grounded in ecological systems theories and African perspectives, this case study uses qualitative methods (i.e., interviews, focus groups, observation, and photovoice- a participatory action photography activity), to explore how intersecting global and national inequalities shape developmental contexts and influence the pursuit of valued adulthood. Specifically, it explores how migration and subsequent involvement in e-waste work texture the experiences of young Dagomba men living at the economic, environmental, and ethnic margins of Ghana, as they navigate key life-stage milestones and developmental tasks amid rapid urbanization, technological advancement, and environmental degradation. Data was collected on migration histories; local conceptions of adulthood; psychosocial developmental goals; developmental risks; and protective factors. Consistent with the literature on emerging adulthood, the men conceptualized their current life stage as a critical time for establishing independence. However, their pursuit of independence was not characterized by an intense focus on the self, as described in Western accounts of emerging adulthood. It was seen, rather, as a necessary step towards fulfilling familial and social responsibilities. Amidst limited opportunities, migration and short-term work (i.e., hustles) served as rites of passage, enabling the men to demonstrate independence, maturity, and responsibility. The young men in Agbogbloshie faced many challenges including housing insecurity, health risks, and stigma. However, the young men drew strength from community ties—both in their cultural enclave in Accra and their hometowns- for support and cultural grounding. The study captures rich accounts and visual counter-narratives that challenge dominant portrayals of Agbogbloshie as a mere “digital graveyard.” It highlights how culture shapes conceptions of self and community, meaning-making processes, interpretations of distress, and coping mechanisms. The study calls for a reconsideration of Western models of young adulthood when examining diverse populations, and emphasizes the importance of culturally-informed approaches to psychosocial development.