Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Sidik Mia has called for African-led solutions to persistent water challenges faced on the continent.
Mia made the call when she opened the 95th African Water Sanitation Association (AFWASA) conference in Lilongwe.
Mia also stressed on the importance of unity among African nations to take the lead in addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues.
“We need to come together as a continent to take charge of the water sector. We must focus on innovative and sustainable financing solutions. We cannot continue to rely solely on NGOs; it’s time we find solutions from within Africa,” said Mia.
She then urged the youth and women to rise to the challenge by developing innovative solutions to address the pressing issues in the water and sanitation sector.
President of the African Water and Sanitation Association Strategies and Technological Council, Mahmood Lutaaya, underscored that Africa’s problems are best addressed by Africans themselves, noting that some countries on the continent have already made encouraging progress.
Lilongwe Water Board Chief Executive Officer, Sili Mbewe, said the conference will bring numerous benefits not only to the Lilongwe Water Board but also to the entire Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in the country.
“This is a platform where we share ideas within the water and sanitation sector. We are focusing on the green economy, exploring new innovations and insights. As a country, we must learn from others who are already implementing green economy principles,” he said.
Malawi is hosting This year’s conference under the theme, “Green Economy and Climate Resilience in Africa”.
The conference has brought together over 150 member organisations, including water utilities, sanitation service providers, regulatory bodies, research institutions, and private sector players from more than 40 African countries.
By Mike Kalumbi
