In the margin of the training session for laboratory technicians of water utilities in metrology organized from 29 to 31 January 2019 in Niamey, Niger, by the African Water Association (AFWA) as part of the AfriCap programme funded by USAID, the Director of Programmes of AfWA, Dr Simeon Kenfack who represented AfWA’s Executive Director, had a high-level meeting with the ministerial officials of the two water utilities (Société de patrimoine de l’Eau du Niger (SPEN) and Société d'Exploitation des Eaux du Niger(SEEN)) in Niger. Initially planned to be chaired by the Minister of Water and Sanitation in his cabinet, it was finally under the chairmanship of his Director of Cabinet, Mr. Abdou Maliki that the said meeting was held on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

A part of the Director of cabinet, and Dr. Simeon Kenfack, the following attendance was observed: Mr. Attahirou Karbo Secretary General of the Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation, Mr. Labo Madougou Director General of Sanitation, Mr. Chaibou Tankari, Managing Directeur of Hydraulics, Ms. Salifou Abdoulaye Fatou, Director of Human Resources in charge of Communication at SPEN, Mr. Akiné Atta Ibrahim, Director of Performance / Deputy Managing Director of SEEN, Mr Mohamadou Saddikou Director of the patrimony and Operational Control at SPEN, Mr Ali Amadou Issa advisor to the Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation,

The discussions focused on three main points, namely: - The presentation of the AfWA for a better knowledge of its actions - Presentations by both Managing Directors of Water and Sanitation, on the sector's specific challenges in Niger, including the development of the national sanitation policy. - The complaints of the two companies regarding their support by the relevant ministry for effective action, each in its own mandate.

At the end of this meeting, the Niger Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation has shown great interest in AFWA and would like to see the Association take more and more actions in favour of policy makers and regulators to be better known and to encourage requests from them. In the short term, this interest should be reflected in the participation of Nigerien delegates from the sectoral ministry at AfWA’s meetings (Scientific and Technical Council (STC) and congress). From the gender side, the only woman in the group, Ms. Abdoulaye Fatou, advocated for the promotion of gender in the water and sanitation sector in Niger and in this sense, a commitment was made by the Ministry and the two AfWA member utilities to work towards the establishment in Niger of a women's network for water and sanitation.

In short, it was on a note of general satisfaction that the guests took leave of their host, promising to see certain actions agreed during this meeting being undertaken in the short term. Thus, an appointment was made at the STC in Rabat, Morocco scheduled from 1 to 05 April 2019 for follow-up.