During its 20th International Congress and Exhibition, held from 24 to 27 February 2020, AfWA organised on Wednesday 26 February a parallel session for the official launch of its new programme of ‘’Strengthening AfWA and Operators’ capacity for the Implementation of City-wide Inclusive Sanitation in Africa’’ (SAO-CWIS).

Building on the RASOP Africa project, and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the period 2019 to 2022, this programme aims at building primarily the capacity of sanitations operators (Municipalities/utilities) for them to efficiently provide a safe sanitation to all in 30 African cities of 10 African countries scattered in sub-Saharan countries.

During the session participants were informed on the key activities and the outcomes the project aims to achieve, the partners involved and the approach of implementation. Indeed, beneficiaries’ cities/mentees as well as potential mentors were presented.

The presentation was followed by a round table discussion on equity and inclusion in sanitation and provided ideas on how to achieve it at the city level.

At the end of the session, balloons were launched as a sign of the effective start of the project.