20th African WASH congress begins February 24, in Kampala

The 20th African Water Association International Congress and Exhibition (AfWA-ICE2020) under the theme: “Breaking new grounds to accelerate access to safe water and sanitation for all in Africa,” is scheduled to hold February 24 – 27, at the Kampala Serena International Conference Center, in Kampala, Uganda.

The African Water Association International Congress and Exhibition 2020 (AfWA-ICE2020) aims to provide a platform for African water and sanitation experts to reflect on Africa`s progress in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation.

“Most African countries are now faced with immense water and sanitation challenges. Never before has the need to face the challenge – to share ideas and resources; to look for new breakthroughs and innovations; to cooperate between nations, between generations and between disciplines – been more urgent,” says a statement put out on the AfWA-ICE2020 website.

The biannual congress which is being hosted by Uganda`s National Water and Sewerage Cooperation (NWSC) will focus on identifying new breakthroughs, both scientific research and good practices, that could address water and sanitation challenges in Africa. Also, it will foster interactions with development partners, financing institutions and solution providers towards achieving universal and equitable access to safe drinking water and quality sanitation on the continent.

“AfWA-ICE2020 will be the highlight of the water and sanitation sector in Africa. The congress will also coincide with the celebration of the 40 years [anniversary] of the African Water Association (AfWA) and the launch of the African Water and Sanitation Academy,” said Abderrahim El Hafidi, AfWA’s president, in a public statement ahead of the congress.

“At the congress we will have a full professional program consisting of more than 80 technical and poster sessions, several workshops, pre-congress seminars, and special forums…we expect more than 2,500 participants from over 100 countries to attend. Thus, there is no doubt that AfWA-ICE2020 will be the biggest water and sanitation event in Africa in 2020 – and the place for all water and sanitation professionals to be,” added El Hafidi.

The African Water Association (AfWA), formerly known as Union of African Water Suppliers (UAWS), is a professional association of establishments, enterprises and utilities operating in the areas of drinking water, sanitation and environment in Africa. AfWA was established in 1980; its membership cuts across over 40 countries on the African continent.