WOPs in Africa
Although twinning and partnerships had long been practiced in Africa, the Hashimoto Action Plan created the momentum and political will to build an African platform to significantly scale up WOPs on the continent. GWOPA supported the first year of the platform by funding the position of the Programme Manager, supporting initial twinning activities and helping the African Water Association (AfWA) secure funds for its WOPs programs. The WOP-Africa Secretariat is currently comprised of 3 staff members, led by Dr. Simeon Kenfack. The Secretariat is based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at the AfWA’s headquarters and is responsible for the core functions:
- Overall planning, coordination and monitoring
- Fundraising and financial planning
- Liaisons with GWOPA
- Communication and dissemination
- Demand-based TA and support to help groups of partners prepare sub-programs/project
The WOP-Africa Program Steering Committee gathers all key stakeholders. Its role is to provide strategic guidance, foster coordination, and facilitate relationships with funding partners.
The African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), the WOP Coordination platform for Africa, has seen significant improvements in African water utilities since 2008. Some mentees have become mentors across sub-regions, with top-performing utilities now serving as AfWASA’s Regional Implementing Partners (REIPs) to expand the WOP model continent-wide. At the 5th Global WOP Congress on 23 May 2023, AfWASA reflected on WOP Africa's progress and future, focusing on the lagging sanitation sector.