Application for the Position of Communications Consultant 

Application for the Position of Consultant to Undertake Mapping of Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) Stakeholders and Infrastructure

After three productive days of exchange and strategic reflection, the 94th AfWASA STC Meeting officially came to a close on Wednesday November 20 in Kampala.

The day began with the presentation of the GREEN PILOT PROJECT FOR SUSTAINABILITY, an ambitious project designed to promote sustainable practices in the water and sanitation sector. This initiative, which focuses on ecological innovation, aroused keen interest among participants, underlining the importance of green solutions in the management of water resources in Africa.

Participants then heard detailed presentations on the forums planned for the next Congress, including the Youth Forum and the Women's Forum, platforms dedicated to mobilization and inclusion. A draft agenda for the 22nd Congress, to be held in February 2025 in Kampala, was also shared, providing an outline of this key event.

Another highlight of the day was the presentation of the work of the specialist groups, who had been working on strategic themes linked to the disruptive technologies and innovations needed to achieve SDG6. These presentations enabled concrete ideas and practical recommendations to be shared, laying the foundations for future action on a continental scale.

To conclude the meeting, participants took part in two technical visits, one to the sewage sludge treatment plant and the other to the water quality laboratory of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). These innovative facilities are testimony to Uganda's best practices and technological advances in the water and wastewater sector.

The meeting concluded with a formal invitation to the 22nd AfWASA International Congress, to be held in Kampala from February 16 to 20, 2025.

Tuesday, November 19 was the second day of the 94th meeting of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA)  Council, in Kampala, with a program featuring presentations and work by specialist groups.

Debriefing of the first day

The day began with a debriefing of the first day, enabling participants to look back on the highlights and major discussions of the previous day.

Presentation of AfWASA's gender mainstreaming strategy

A key presentation highlighted the results of AfWASA's gender survey. This initiative shows the association's commitment to promoting an inclusive and equitable approach to the water and sanitation sector. Participants discussed strategies for strengthening the role of women in the sector's decision-making and operational processes.

Collaboration and data sharing in Africa

Another presentation focused on the importance of collaboration and data sharing across the continent. Access to reliable, up-to-date data was identified as a crucial lever for improving performance and decision-making in the water and sanitation sectors.

AfWASA activity reports: August to November 2024

AfWASA's Executive Director presented a detailed review of activities carried out between August and November 2024. The report highlighted progress made, challenges encountered and initiatives to come, reaffirming the association's momentum and catalytic role in the region.

Preparations for the 22nd Congress in Kampala

Another highlight of the day was devoted to the state of preparations for the 22nd AfWASA Congress, scheduled for February 2025 in Kampala. The presentation detailed organizational progress and next steps, while inviting members to get actively involved to ensure the success of this major event.

Specialist group work

The day concluded with the start of work by the specialist groups, who were given a precise roadmap to guide their reflections and discussions. Their task was to :

Take stock of existing breakthrough technologies and innovations in the water and sanitation sector in their country or utility.

Identify the essential systems, processes and services that need to be disrupted to accelerate the achievement of SDG6.

Define the role of different players in facilitating disruptive technologies and innovations in the sector

Identify critical capacity-building needs that AfWASA should address.

The work of the specialist groups continues until late Wednesday morning. Restitution is scheduled for early afternoon.

Under the theme: disruptive Technology and Innovation as SDG6 Accelerator in Africa, the 94th AfWASA Strategic and Technological Council Meeting officially opened on November 18 in Kampala, Uganda.

Members of the Association came from all over Africa, Asia and Europe to take part in this preparatory meeting for the 22nd AfWASA Congress, scheduled for February 16-20, 2025, in Kampala.

An Opening Ceremony focused on Innovation

The first day of the meeting was marked by an opening ceremony featuring a number of speeches emphasizing the urgency of adopting innovative and disruptive technologies to accelerate access to drinking water and sanitation services for African populations.

Technical sessions to share experiences

The day's proceedings were organized around three main sessions:

Session 1: Disruptive Technologies and Innovations in the Water and Sanitation Sector

A key note presented a case study on the integration of disruptive technologies in water and sanitation supply in Uganda. It showed how these innovations are transforming the sector and opening up new opportunities.

Session 2: Research as a Catalyst for Technologies and Innovations to Achieve SDG 6

This session explored the central role of research in technological progress and innovation. An introductory note underlined the importance of research as a key driver for solving the continent's complex water and sanitation challenges.

Session 3: Governance and Financing of Technologies and Innovations

This session addressed strategies for effective governance and sustainable financing of technological innovations in the sector.

The 94th AfWASA conference runs until November 20.

We'll be back with more details on the first day of the AfWASA conference.

Register here

Maji Africa Webinar Series is adopting an online format for technical exchange and discussions about research findings on different thematic areas related to WASH solutions and innovations in Africa. The platform is dedicated to researchers, innovators, students, professors, consultants, and any other webinar presenters.

This also comes as an opportunity for AfWASA research fellows to present their findings in front of a big international audience, as well as for those who submitted their abstracts for AfWASA Congress, but unfortunately were unable to attend and present them.

Topics to be developed

1) Phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals (mercury, zinc, cyanide, arsenic, iron) by gold mining activities in Burkina Faso for the protection of groundwater and surface water.

2) Management and supply of water domestic use in conflict zones: the case of the KANYARUCHINYA displaced person camp (Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo)

3) The management of water services and its health and environmental impacts in the Golfe 1 municipality in Togo

4) Sustainable Water Governance in a Changing Climate: An Actor-Network Approach to Stakeholder Engagement

Methodology

The Maji Africa Webinar series, hosted monthly in AfWASA’s Zoom webinar platform, engages researchers, innovators, students, professors, consultants, and any other Webinar presenters, in sharing their research findings as well as new ideas and research areas to solve the water problems in Africa.

The webinar series is open to the public and the recordings as well as presentations can later be accessed by members via the AfWASA Knowledge Management Platform.

Registration link: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcuqpqDksHddSaexiEXFWZHVTmSMXoppV

ID de réunion : 862 5316 2673

Code secret : 202294

We are delighted to announce that registration for our 94th STC meeting is now open.
Please register by clicking on the following link https://meetings.afwasa.org

Note that your member code will be required for your registration. If you no longer remember your code, please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

For information on travelling to Uganda, please click on the link: https://www.visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply

We look forward to seeing you in Kampala for a fruitful discussion on the future of water and sanitation in Africa.

Download the Agenda

Capacity building: AfWASA members learn from Office National du Sénégal

The African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) is organizing a benchmarking visit to  Office National de l'Assainissement Senegal's (ONAS) from October 29 to 31, 2024, as part of its mission to build the capacity of water and sanitation operators to provide better services to the population. The visit will benefit AfWASA members from Niger, Ghana, the Republic of Guinea and Togo.

The aim of this initiative is to promote knowledge sharing between ONAS and the participants, to highlight best practices that position ONAS as an African leader in sanitation management, and to gather useful information for improving sanitation services in the participants' respective countries. The delegation is made up of some twenty sanitation professionals representing ministries, municipalities, emptiers and local experts.

The agenda includes indoor working sessions and a field visit.

During the indoor sessions, presentations will be made on the state of sanitation in Senegal, ONAS's missions, progress made, challenges encountered, as well as strategies for resolving them and prospects for improvement. Participants will also have the opportunity to present the sanitation situation in their own cities, followed by discussions aimed at better understanding local contexts and developing appropriate action plans.

As for the field visit, it will enable participants to discover sanitation infrastructures at first hand, explore the technologies used and observe the application of the concepts discussed in the classroom.

This benchmarking visit is part of AfWASA’s Citywide Inclusive Sanitation Program funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID.

On October 15, we celebrate Global Handwashing Day, an opportunity to highlight the crucial importance of this simple yet vital gesture for our health. This year's theme, “Why is handwashing important?”, invites us to reflect on the immense impact this habit can have on preventing disease and protecting our communities.

Unwashed hands are one of the main causes of diarrhoeal disease worldwide, and among the leading causes of infant mortality in Africa. Studies show that in sub-Saharan Africa, only 15% to 25% of people regularly wash their hands with soap after using the toilet or before eating, despite the fact that this can reduce diarrheal infections by 40% and respiratory infections by 21%. Faced with this alarming situation, the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) is actively committed to promoting good hygiene practices through large-scale awareness campaigns and initiatives to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities across the continent.

Hand washing with clean water and soap is the first line of defense against the transmission of infections. Our hands are in daily contact with many surfaces, objects and people, accumulating millions of germs. These microbes, invisible to the naked eye, can cause serious illnesses such as diarrhea, influenza, cholera and, more recently, COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of infections are spread by the hands. This figure shows just how effective this simple gesture can be as a shield against contamination.

Hand washing is particularly important in vulnerable environments such as hospitals, schools and kitchens. For children, regular hand-washing significantly reduces the risk of diarrhea and respiratory infections, the main causes of infant death in some parts of the world. For adults, this gesture not only protects our own health, but also that of the more fragile people around us: the elderly, the sick or even pregnant women.

Beyond individual protection, handwashing is an act of solidarity. By breaking the germ transmission chain, we help keep our communities healthy, relieve pressure on healthcare systems and reduce absenteeism in schools and workplaces. It's a universal gesture that transcends borders, ages and cultures. AfWASA, aware of the stakes, works tirelessly with water and sanitation stakeholders to ensure that everyone, especially in rural and peri-urban areas, has access to adequate handwashing facilities and soap.

However, it's important to remember that handwashing is more than just a quick rinse under water. It must be done properly, rubbing all parts of the hands for at least 20 seconds, with soap. This attention to detail makes all the difference in eliminating germs.

On this Global Handwashing Day, AfWASA would like us to make this a daily reflex, not only for ourselves, but also to protect those we love. Together, by adopting this simple habit, we can build a healthier, safer future for all.

Wash your hands, save lives!

Olivier Gosso

AfWASA Executive Director