Field visit to a water treatment plant during the Celebration of International Water Day 2016, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

The African Water Association (AfWA) is a continental water and sanitation organization that brings together drinking water production and distribution companies, sanitation services companies, and regulators in African countries to share knowledge and best practices. The AfriCap program will be carried out in the following components:

Component I: Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening of AfWA AfWA will be strengthened by the recruitment of new staff, the adoption of procedures manuals to streamline operations, and staff training sessions. Effective program execution and control structure will be established with well-defined staff roles and responsibilities, along with a robust monitoring and reporting system. The 2018-2022 AfWA Strategic Business Plan will be developed. Gender mainstreaming will be fostered through the establishment of national WASH professional women associations.

Component II: Develop and Implement Knowledge Sharing in West Africa AfWA’s knowledge management and public awareness function will be enhanced by the reinforcement of AfWA’s leadership role on regional coordination, knowledge management, information sharing, and capacity building of WASH stakeholders. AfWA will use its network and convening power to disseminate best practice documents, white papers, and knowledge pieces to a wide audience.
AfWA will foster learning in the sector through virtual learning events and by funding Master’s student research projects.

Component III: Develop the Capacity of Water Quality Laboratories Laboratories in West Africa, with USEPA support, will be supported to attain certification and at least six laboratories will be engaged in peer-to-peer learning partnerships with laboratories from Burkina Faso and Ghana. Training sessions on analytical techniques, protocols, and procedures will be held.