The 23rd AfWASA International Congress and Exhibition opens in Yaoundé under the banner of action and collective responsibility
The Yaoundé Conference Centre hosted this Monday the official opening of the 23rd International Congress and Exhibition of the African Water and Sanitation Association , a major gathering for the WASH sector in Africa. The event brings together approximately 2,000 participants from 52 countries, including ministers, heads of pan-African institutions, leaders of public utilities, technical and financial partners, experts, researchers and private sector stakeholders.
Held under the theme “Water and Sanitation for All: Bold Actions for Africa”, this edition takes place in a context marked by water, climate and demographic urgency, just a few years ahead of the 2030 Agenda deadline and Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Water: a societal choice
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of AfWASA, Mr. Olivier Gosso, delivered a profound reflection on the political, social and human significance of water. “Water knows neither political borders nor institutional agendas. It responds to our choices, not our speeches,” he emphasized, recalling that where water is well governed, societies prosper, and where it is neglected, vulnerabilities accumulate.
Focusing on the African context, he noted that more than 400 million Africans still lack access to safely managed drinking water services, nearly 800 million are without sanitation services, and one in three Africans lives in areas under high water stress. Considering these figures, he called for moving beyond diagnoses and entering “a time of courageous decisions, transformative investments and strengthened cooperation.”
Strong commitment from Cameroon
Speaking on behalf of the host country, Cameroonian authorities reaffirmed their commitment to the sector. The President of AfWASA and Managing Director of the Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (CAMWATER), Dr. Blaise Moussa, praised the vision and continued support of the President of the Republic of Cameroon, His Excellency Paul Biya, who authorized and supported the organization of this continental congress.
He highlighted several major structural projects, including the PAEPYS project for drinking water supply in Yaoundé, the construction of large-capacity infrastructure in Douala, network extension programmes, public standpipes, as well as large-scale investments supported by the State and the World Bank. According to him, these initiatives reflect “a clear political will to make water a lever for development, social cohesion and human dignity.”
The central role of pan-African institutions and partners
Representing the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr. Mtchera Chirwa, Director of the Water and Sanitation Department, stressed that 2026 will be a pivotal year for the water sector in Africa, designated by the African Union as the “Year of Water.” He announced that the AfDB plans to invest approximately one billion US dollars in the sector in 2026, with a significant share allocated to utilities and local authorities, while calling for improved project preparation and service performance.
For his part, the President of AMCOW, Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, who is also Minister of Water and Sanitation of Senegal, welcomed the complementarity between AMCOW and AfWASA. He presented the African Water Vision 2063, adopted by African ministers in charge of water, as a continental strategic framework aimed at integrated governance, increased financing mobilization, and the use of water as a driver of economic and social development.
Governance, financing and innovation at the heart of discussions
In his address, the Cameroonian Minister of Water and Energy, Mr. Gaston Eloundou Essomba, recalled that access to water and sanitation is no longer merely a technical issue, but a marker of governance and collective solidarity. He called for coordinated African strategies based on political leadership, utility performance, transparency and balanced partnerships.
A Congress focused on action
Beyond speeches, this 23rd Congress aims to serve as a catalyst for decision-making, a platform for partnerships and a laboratory for African solutions. By officially opening the proceedings, the various speakers delivered a clear message: universal access to water and sanitation is a collective responsibility and a historical necessity. The discussions, panels and meetings scheduled throughout the week are expected to turn commitments into concrete actions for the benefit of African populations.
The opening ceremony ended with the official opening of the International Exhibition of the Congress, a showcase of technological innovations and solutions for water and sanitation.
The 23rd AfWASA International Congress runs until Friday, 13 February 2026.
