Yaoundé, Cameroon — 11 February 2026 (AGP) Cameroun/23ᵉ Congrès de l’AAEA: ” Près de 400 millions africains n’ont toujours pas accès à une eau potable de qualité “ The 23rd International Congress and Exhibition of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AAEA-AfWASA) is taking place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from February 9 to 13, 2026.
The event, themed “Water and Sanitation for All: Strong Actions for Africa,” has drawn numerous delegations from across West and Central Africa, according to official sources. Cameroun’s Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, emphasized the global concern of access to clean drinking water and sanitation services, highlighting that it remains a significant health and economic issue.
Essomba noted that access to potable water is not solely dependent on technology or engineering but also involves governance choices, economic decisions, social priorities, and public policy vision.
Despite the efforts made, Essomba lamented that nearly 400 million Africans still lack access to quality drinking water. He also pointed out that approximately 800 million people live without adequate sanitation.
The Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation of Senegal, Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, who is also the President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), emphasized that the slow progress towards universal access is a concern for the entire Water Community, including institutional decision-makers, the private sector, experts, technical and financial partners, and local governments. Dieye referred to the Vision of Water 2063 adopted by the AMCOW General Assembly, which aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
This vision has been translated into a roadmap that includes integrated water resource management, using water as a lever for economic and social development, mobilizing local and international financing, and leveraging innovation and digital technology for more effective governance. Olivier Gosso, President of the AAEA, stressed that Africa must take control of its water destiny. Dr.
Blaise Moussa, Director General of Comwater, mentioned that the AAEA is committed to a profound transformation aimed at strengthening its capacity to address the immense challenges of water and sanitation in Africa.
The conference aims to lead to the “Yaoundé Call,” calling for institutional recognition and effective integration of the AAEA within the African Union’s strategic frameworks. It also seeks the support of African Heads of State and Government and regional economic communities to develop ambitious and harmonized policies on water and sanitation.
Mtchera Chirwa, Director of the Water and Sanitation Department at the African Development Bank (AfDB), noted that 2026 is a pivotal year for the water sector in Africa, designated by the African Union as the “Year of Water.
” The AfDB plans to invest about one billion dollars in 2026, with a significant portion intended for operators and local governments, calling for improved project preparation and service performance. Further details are expected as the conference progresses.
