State of the Industry: Water and Sanitation in Africa – A Call for Resilient, Data-Driven, and Inclusive Solutions.

The 22nd edition of the African Water and Sanitation Association International Congress and Exhibition (AfWASA ICE2025) in Kampala, Uganda, was an eye-opener. This gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and technical experts laid bare the pressing issues that still plague Africa’s water and sanitation sector. It also presented an opportunity for deep reflection on the solutions we must urgently implement.

As Managing Director of Proficient Projects and Advisory, I had the privilege of engaging in thought-provoking discussions with some of the brightest minds in this space. Our company has long been at the forefront of providing strategic advisory, infrastructure solutions, and technical consultancy across the water, sanitation, and public sector landscapes. We are deeply invested in solving Africa’s water and sanitation challenges—not through rhetoric, but through practical, scalable solutions that create lasting impact.

The Realities We Face

Despite decades of effort, Africa’s water and sanitation services remain woefully inadequate. Rapid urbanization has put immense pressure on existing infrastructure, while climate change continues to affect water availability and distribution. Financial constraints have left utilities struggling to maintain and expand services, leading to inconsistencies in water supply and sanitation access. These challenges were at the heart of discussions during AfWASA ICE2025, where experts presented sobering statistics on the state of water infrastructure across the continent.

A significant part of the problem lies in the lack of data-driven decision-making. Many utilities still rely on outdated record-keeping methods, making it difficult to assess performance and plan for future demands. Without robust data systems, optimizing operations and attracting investment remains a challenge. Additionally, private sector engagement in the sector is still limited, despite clear evidence that partnerships between governments and businesses can drive efficiency and innovation in service delivery.

Financing remains a crucial bottleneck, as traditional funding mechanisms have proven inadequate. The African Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII) highlighted the need for more sustainable, long-term funding models, emphasizing that water and sanitation services cannot rely solely on donor support. Instead, the sector needs blended finance solutions, public-private partnerships, and microfinance options to encourage small-scale enterprises to contribute to sanitation solutions.

Another key focus at the conference was the circular economy and how waste can be transformed into valuable resources. Countries like Senegal and Burkina Faso demonstrated the financial viability of biogas and treated sludge as part of their sanitation models. This shift from waste disposal to resource recovery not only reduces environmental impact but also creates economic opportunities.

Finally, the conference underscored the urgent need for gender and youth inclusion in the sector. Women and young professionals remain underrepresented in leadership and technical roles, even though they have a vital role to play in driving change. Without diverse leadership, policies and solutions will continue to be short-sighted, missing key perspectives that could unlock more sustainable progress.

What Needs to Change?

1. We Must Use Data as a Strategic Asset

One of the most profound lessons from the conference was this: data is not an afterthought—it is the foundation of efficient service delivery. The days of relying on manual records and fragmented reporting must end. African utilities need smart, integrated data platforms that enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and evidence-based policy-making.

At Proficient Projects and Advisory, we are working to implement AI-driven analytics and GIS mapping for utilities that want to get ahead. Our goal is simple: to help municipalities move beyond guesswork and adopt data-backed solutions that improve efficiency and accountability.

2. Financing Must Be More Than Just Loans

Lack of capital is a major bottleneck for water and sanitation projects. The discussions around AUSII reinforced a key point: traditional loans and grants are not enough. We must think outside the box and embrace new financing models.

Blended finance combines public and private capital to reduce risk. Result-based financing ties funding to real, measurable outcomes, ensuring that money is spent effectively. Microfinance and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) empower local entrepreneurs to fill service gaps, creating more resilient and decentralized service models.

At Proficient, we are already working on structuring finance models that de-risk private investment and make sanitation projects more bankable. Governments must also step up by offering credit guarantees and performance incentives that attract investment into the sector.

3. Turning Waste into a Business Model

A key takeaway from the circular economy sessions was that waste management should not be viewed as a cost center—it should be a revenue stream. Countries like Senegal and Burkina Faso are proving that properly managed sludge treatment can generate valuable byproducts such as biogas, organic fertilizers, and construction materials.

At Proficient Projects and Advisory, we are actively helping municipalities develop business models around waste-to-energy conversion, ensuring that sanitation services become financially self-sustaining rather than constant fiscal burdens.

4. Building Climate-Resilient Water Infrastructure

Climate change is already disrupting Africa’s water supply, and utilities need to get ahead of the crisis. We must invest in solar-powered treatment plants, decentralized wastewater solutions, and rainwater harvesting systems.

Our team is currently piloting nature-based solutions, such as wetland restoration and aquifer recharge, to improve water resilience in drought-prone areas. This is not just about sustainability—it’s about survival.

5. Bridging the Leadership Gap

Women and young professionals remain grossly underrepresented in the water and sanitation sector. This must change. The AfWASA Professional Women’s Network made it clear that without diverse leadership, we will continue to make one-dimensional policy decisions that fail to consider the full spectrum of challenges and solutions.

At Proficient, we are actively supporting mentorship programs and leadership pipelines to ensure that the next generation of water and sanitation experts is diverse, competent, and ready to lead.

The Road Ahead: A Call to Action

Africa’s water and sanitation crisis demands urgent, coordinated action. We cannot afford to let these discussions remain theoretical exercises that are revisited at every conference without tangible outcomes. Now is the time for governments, private sector players, donors, and communities to take decisive steps toward change.

First, we must prioritize data investment. Governments and utilities must allocate resources to develop smart data systems that provide accurate, real-time insights into service performance. Without this foundation, we cannot hope to improve efficiency or attract meaningful investment. Second, financing structures must evolve. Blended finance and PPPs should become the norm rather than the exception, ensuring that projects receive the capital they need to scale sustainably.

Beyond financing, we must shift our perception of waste. Every utility should explore waste-to-value business models that turn sanitation byproducts into economic opportunities. This shift will not only reduce environmental impact but also make sanitation services financially viable. Climate resilience must also be embedded into every project, with future infrastructure designed to withstand the shocks of climate change.

Finally, we must address leadership disparities. Women and young professionals must be integrated into decision-making structures, ensuring that policies are forward-thinking, inclusive, and effective.

At Proficient Projects and Advisory, we are committed to turning these ideas into action. We invite all stakeholders—governments, donors, private sector players, and communities—to join us in building a future where safe water and sanitation are no longer privileges, but fundamental human rights.

The time for action is now.