An evaluators' delegation from the German Ministry for Development Cooperation (BMZ) led by the German Water Partnership (GWP) is on mission from May 13 till May 17, at AfWA's headquarters in Abidjan. The mission intends to fund a collaborative project between AfWA and the GWP to build the capacity of African water and sanitation sector actors. The delegation, which includes Jurgen Henkel, Project Director of SEQUA gGmbH, Marcus Casel, SEQUA gGmbH consultant and Nathalie Kolbe, Head of International Projects at the German Water Partnership, met with the staff of AfWA’s Executive Office to understand its management and actions’ plan. Thus, Mr. Usher, Executive Director, made a brief presentation of the Association and the Director of Programs, Dr. Siméon Kenfack followed by a presentation of the various ongoing and future programmes implemented by AfWA. The discussions that followed clarified the grey areas.

At the end of the first working session and before continuing their mission, the delegation expressed overall satisfaction with the information they received. According to Mr Jürgen Henkel, AfWA has the required skills to receive funding from the German Ministry of Cooperation because of its experience in the implementation of donor-funded projects. For him, new activities could be added to its portfolio to strengthen its capacities.

The delegation's agenda includes meetings in Abidjan with some AfWA members, particularly SODECI, ONEP, ONAD, SOTICI, the Presidents of the Scientific and Technical Council, Dr Papa Samba Diop and Dr Rose Kaggwa; working sessions are also planned with the sector’s ministries and the German Embassy. The German Water Partnership is an association of 350 companies, research centers and other organizations operating in the water sector.

The final evaluation meeting on Friday will recap the main conclusions of the mission and an outlook of this future collaboration.