What: Invitation to the African Development Bank's side events at the 21st International Congress of the African Water Association (AfWA) and 7th Faecal Sludge Management Conference

Who: African Development Bank

When: 19-23 February 2023

Where: Sofitel Hotel - Abidjan, and online

The African Development Bank will participate in the 21st International Congress of the African Water Association (AfWA) and 7th Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) Conference, as a strategic partner to the African Water Association.

The conference will bring together experts, engineers, technicians, researchers, and multiple stakeholders from both public and private sector to discuss water and sanitation challenges in Africa. The theme for the conference is: "Acting for sustainable management of resources and access to water and sanitation for all".

The African Development Bank's participation will consist of panel sessions, exhibitions, and client engagement. The Bank will also host an exhibition booth to showcase projects to engage and spark conversations with partners.

The Bank will further convene a set of high-level panels and technical sessions involving ministers in charge of water, the private sector, and heads of utilities and regulatory bodies in the region. The side events and panel sessions will engage participants on water and sanitation services and delivery in Africa, infrastructure development, utilities performance enhancement, and the impact of climate change on water security.

Other relevant themes such as policy, strategic and legal framework for water and sanitation service supply in Africa will also be discussed. A specific focus will be put on Bank's financing mechanisms and special instruments in support of the water and sanitation sector in Africa. These include the African Water Facility (AWF) and its instruments including the African Urban Sanitation investment funds (AUSIF).

The Bank's side-events and panel sessions include:

21 February 2023

Session 1

10.30 - 12.00

Water and Sanitation Utilities, a Veto Player to Reaching Sustainable Development Goal #6 in Africa - a Focus on the African Water and Sanitation Utilities Performance Improvement Pathways

Session 2

13.30 - 15.00

Water Security and the Yoke of Climate Change - Case of West African Coastal Cities

Session 3

15.30 - 17.00

African Water and Sanitation Sector Facing the Test of Funding Vis a Vis Achieving Africa Water Vision 2025

22 February 2023

Session 4

10.30 - 12.00

Maximizing the Potential of the Private Sector in the Water & Sanitation Sector in Africa to Reach Sustainable Development Goal 6

Session 5

13.30 - 15.00

Water & Sanitation Regulatory Services, a Robust Mechanism for Improved & Sustainable Services, & Attracting Private Capital to Filling the Financing Gap in the Sector in Africa

Session 6

15.30 to 17.00

Innovative Mechanisms for Scaling Up Water and Sanitation Investment In Africa, Relevance of Project Preparation Tools - Case of the Africa Water Facility

23 February 2023

Session 7

9.00 to 10.30

Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS): A Participative Approach to Sustainable Infrastructure Planning - Case of Kenya & Sierra Leone

The Bank's side events will be livestreamed, the links will be shared shortly

Media contact

Solange Kamuanga-Tossou, Communication and External Relations Department, media@afdb.org