NWSC’s Mugisha says 2023 AFWA Congress in Ivory Coast ready

The stage is set for the 21st African Water Association [AFWA] Congress and Exhibition 2023, according to Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, the President AFWA, and National Water and Sewerage [NWSC] managing director.

Speaking ahead of the event 2023 in Abidjan Ivory Coast, Mugisha said that he was happy that experts will come together to find a lasting solution to water and the environment in Africa.

He said the 21st AFWA and the 7th Faecal Sludge Management [FSM] Conference to be held at Sofitel Hotel in Abidjan are organised by AFWA.

He explained that the congress, to be held from February 19-23, will bring together experts, engineers, technicians, researchers, and multiple stakeholders from the both public and private sectors to discuss water and sanitation challenges in Africa.

“This is another opportunity to bring together the world’s leading experts, engineers, technicians, researchers, and multiple stakeholders from the both public and private sectors to meet and discuss water and sanitation challenges in Africa,” he said.

The theme for the conference is “Acting for sustainable management of resources and access to water and sanitation for all”.

Mugisha who will chair the weeklong meeting commended Ivory Coast for providing the necessary resources ahead of the much sought-after congress.

“Since its inception, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire has hosted and supported AFWA. We don’t take their support and goodwill for granted,” he said.

The AFWA president underscored the relevance of the congress discussions to the water sector, saying he would like the next AFWA to be held in Kampala.

“I would like to see if the AFWA Board can approve the next congress of 2025 to be held in Kampala, Uganda so that my country can also benefit,” he said.

At the meeting, Bouake FOFANA, the Ivorian Minister of Hydraulics, Sanitation, and Health, intimated his love for Uganda.

He shared his fond memories of Entebbe and Jinja towns, which according to him, were memorable experiences.

He highlighted the importance of AFWA Congress and Exhibition to the continent, noting that it helps bridge the gap between water, sanitation, and the people.

Established in 1980, AfWA now has around 100 members from 40 African nations that include non-governmental organisations, research institutions, utilities, academia, and the private sector.

In line with the United Nations [AFWA] 2030 Agenda, several African countries have committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 [SDG 6] which aims to ensure universal access to water, sanitation, and sustainable management of water resources.

Ivory Coast, which is hosting the Congress is already well on its way to achieving this ambition, with a rate of access to drinking water of more than 80 percent in urban areas and more than 70 percent in rural areas according to the Ivorian authorities.

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