Among the Affiliate Members of the African Water Association, it will now be necessary to include the Federation of Ethiopian Water and Sanitation utilities, which joined AfWA on 26th March, after the visit to Addis Ababa of some representatives of AfWA. Indeed, responding to the invitation from this Federation, some representatives from AfWA including the Executive Director Mr Sylvain Usher, the program director Dr. Simeon Kenfack and the President of the STC, Dr. Papa Samba Diop, participated to the World Water Day and Water and Sanitation Stakeholders' Fair, organized by the Federation of Water and Sanitation utilities, of Ethiopia, from 22nd to 26th March 2019, in Addis Ababa.

AfWA’s representatives took advantage of this mission to introduce AfWA,the pan-African organization leader in capacity building of the African water and sanitation utilities, to the Ethiopia's water sector stakeholders; through a slideshow, Dr Kenfack explained AfWA's organic framework, its vision, mission, implementation strategy and current and future projects and programs.

A presentation very much appreciated by all participants and which resulted to the signing of two memorandums of understanding: The first one, with the Federation of Water and Sanitation Utilities of Ethiopia for the commitment of both parties to undertake joint actions to fulfil their respective mandates for their respective members and the second one with the water and sanitation utility of WolaytaSodo City for its commitment to get involved in the water operators' partnership project to be implemented by AfWA with OFID funding through the Global Water Operators' Partnership Alliance (GWOPA).

The Federation of Water and Sanitation Utilities of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy expressed their wish to organize the 82nd session of AfWA’ Scientific and Technical Council in Addis Ababa next July, in conjunction with the National Water Week in Ethiopia.

In addition to these activities, working sessions were organized with the Federation of Water and Sanitation utilities, of Ethiopia, the Commissioner in charge of water resources management and finally a working dinner offered by the Minister Secretary of State responsible for Water.