Hangzhou (China), April 18, 2025 -The African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) and the China Urban Water Association (CUWA) formalized a strategic partnership at a solemn agreement signing ceremony held in Hangzhou, China. The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Zhang Linwei, President of CUWA, accompanied by Mr. Gao Wei, Deputy Secretary General, and Ms. Zhu Xibing, President of the China Urban Water Industries Association. For AfWASA, the document was signed by Olivier Gosso, Executive Director, sealing a strategic partnership between the two organizations.

This protocol, concluded after mutual consultations during AfWASA's working visit accompanied by Laison Technology (LAISON) to the CUWA annual conference, establishes a “sister association” relationship based on mutual respect. Both parties agree to strengthen their technical exchanges in key areas such as urban water supply, wastewater management and sustainable water infrastructure.

A key feature of the agreement is cross-participation in each association's sectoral events, thus promoting the sharing of expertise between their respective members. The practical details of this cooperation will be negotiated at a later date, but the protocol symbolizes a shared determination to make progress towards innovative solutions to the water challenges facing Africa and China.  This solemn ceremony illustrates the dynamism of Sino-African cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, with the ultimate aim of improving practices and technologies for the benefit of people on both continents. The presence of industrial players such as LAISON underlines the key role of public-private partnerships in realizing these commitments.