As part of the implementation of AfWASA programme on "Empowered WASH Systems at rural District-level in Africa (EMPOWERWASH-AFRICA)", a delegation from the Association's will visit Benin and Rwanda between July 9 and 20, 2024, to draw inspiration from the management of rural drinking water supply services in these two countries.

The African Water and Sanitation Association (AAEA), with the support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation (CNHF), has launched the EMPOWERWASH-AFRICA program. This program aims to improve understanding of Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) systems at rural district level. It also seeks to identify and disseminate best practices, and to fill existing gaps to improve service delivery performance. 

The delegation will examine rural water supply service management models in these two countries, with the aim of identifying best practices and key success factors that will help the Association build a broader rural water access program as part of its 2024-2028 strategic business plan.

Discussions will be held with rural water supply stakeholders to understand and analyze their roles and responsibilities, identify success factors and the main challenges they face. At the end of the mission, these discussions will result in: (1) a detailed report on rural water and sanitation service management models in Benin and Rwanda, including an analysis of the key success factors and specific challenges encountered (2) a complete mapping of rural drinking water supply stakeholders in these two countries, and (3) a practical recommendations document presenting the good practices identified and concrete proposals for improving water and sanitation service management in the target countries of the EMPOWERWASH-AFRICA program.

The EMPOWERWASH-AFRICA program targets 30 rural communes/districts in si6 African countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi and Uganda.

The delegation comprises the Director of Programs, Dr Siméon KENFACK; the Water Program Coordinator, Mr Gilles DJAGOUN; the EMPOWERWASH-AFRICA Program Coordinator, Dr Hemez KOUASSI; the Knowledge Management and Sharing Specialist, Mr Elvis ELOUNDOU; and the Events & Marketing Manager, Ms Micheline LAWSON.