The “One City, One Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant” project is an ambitious initiative to equip every African commune with an infrastructure dedicated to the efficient treatment of fecal sludge. The project was officially launched on February 18, 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, at the Mayors' Forum held as part of the  22nd AfWASA International Congress and Exhibition.

The main aim of this initiative is to improve urban sanitation facilities in Africa, by ensuring that every city has the necessary means to treat faecal sludge in an efficient and environmentally-friendly way. This is intended to reduce the health risks associated with inadequate human waste management and promote a healthier environment for urban populations.

During the Forum, some thirty African mayors shared their experiences, and the initiatives already implemented in their respective communes. For example, the mayor of Kara 3 (Togo), Sami Essokudjowu PISSIYOU, spoke of the construction of a fecal sludge treatment plant in Kara, thanks to Togo's sanitation policy. For his part, the mayor of Kampala, Erias Lukwago, outlined a latrine construction project in the shanty towns of his municipality.

The experiences of other African cities, including Douala and Fokoué in Cameroon, Cotonou in Benin and Lilongwe in Malawi, were also highlighted.

The question of financing these sanitation projects was a central point of discussion.

The mayors called for local funding to be stepped up, while expressing their gratitude to international partners for their support. Ibra Sow, President of the Association Panafricaine des Acteurs de l'Assainissement (Pan-African Association of Sanitation Actors), the precursor of this initiative, stressed the importance of supporting mayors in setting up and managing fecal sludge treatment plants. He called for close collaboration between local authorities, national governments and international partners to tackle sanitation challenges and promote sustainable urban development.

The “One City, One Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant” initiative is a significant step forward in improving urban sanitation conditions in Africa.