The New Executive Director of AfWASA, Mr. Olivier Gosso, held a working session this Friday, March 08, 2024 at the African Development Bank's Water and Sanitation Department. The purpose of the visit was to introduce himself to the heads of this department, thank them for all the support the bank provides to the Association, and request a more formal cooperation framework.

Mr. Gosso also took the opportunity to unveil his vision as the Association's new Director. This vision can be summed up in four (4) main points, namely 1) to develop close cooperative relations with partners, through a clear definition of expectations on both sides, 2) to strengthen relations with members through a decentralization of activities, 3) to continue restructuring the Association's bodies by making specialist groups functional and effective, and finally 4) to strengthen advocacy so that favorable policies are put in place to significantly improve access to water and sanitation services. Finally, the Executive Director submitted a draft cooperation document to the AfDB.

Mr. Osward Chanda, Director of the AfDB's Water and Sanitation Department, welcomed the Executive Director's initiative. He welcomed AfWASA's similar actions with the AfDB, particularly in terms of the decentralization of activities. He reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to supporting the Association in the implementation of its programs, and promised to study with particular interest the cooperation proposal received. Finally, he proposed periodic meetings to discuss the progress of the cooperation.

The meeting took place in Abidjan, at the headquarters of the African Development Bank.