Strategic Meeting Between AfWASA, AHK, and GWP: A New Momentum for Cooperation Ahead of the 23rd Congress in Yaoundé
On Wednesday, 3 December 2025, the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) hosted a high-level tripartite meeting with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Côte d’Ivoire (AHK Côte d’Ivoire) and Global Water Partnership (GWP). Held at AfWASA’s headquarters in Abidjan, the session provided an opportunity for the Association to present its mandate, programmes, and regional leadership to the German delegation, while advancing discussions on Germany’s participation in the 23rd AfWASA International Congress and Exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Now serving within AHK Côte d’Ivoire which covers Côte d’Ivoire, Francophone West Africa, and Cameroon the former GWP representative, Ms. Marie Louise Chagneaud, explained that although GWP will not participate directly in the upcoming congress, AHK will ensure the continuity of collaboration. The objective is to facilitate the establishment of a German Pavilion, gathering several German companies that are also members of GWP, to showcase German expertise in water management, sanitation, environmental technologies, and engineering solutions.
The German delegation was composed of senior representatives from prominent German companies and institutions, including:
- ARIS GmbH – Mr. Stefan Prakesch, CEO;
- Artas Umwelt Technologie GmbH – Mr. Samuel Bauer, Head of Business Development;
- expotec GmbH – Mr. Benedikt Van den Woldenberg, Project Manager;
- GTAI – Wirtschaftsnetzwerk Afrika – Mr. Tobias Schill, Head of the Africa Business Network;
- SBS System for Business – Ms. Monica Di Benedetto, Project Manager;
alongside several representatives of AHK Côte d’Ivoire, including Ms. Natalie Kolbe (Delegate), Ms. Lorraine Tano (Project Manager), and Mr. Christ Herbert Koffi (Sector Expert in Environmental Technologies)
This strategic dialogue marks an important milestone in strengthening cooperation between AfWASA and German economic actors, with a focus on:
- Coordinating a strong, high-level German presence at the Yaoundé Congress;
- Enhancing technological and economic exchanges between Germany and African water and sanitation operators;
- Preparing joint participation in future African and German events.
By reinforcing these collaborations, the three institutions reaffirm their shared commitment to promoting innovation, deepening strategic partnerships, and supporting the sustainable transformation of the WASH sector across the African continent.
