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Cameroon is set to host the 23rd International Congress and Exhibition of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AAEA), bringing together over 2,000 delegates from across the continent and beyond in Yaoundé from 9–13 February 2026.
The event is expected to be one of Africa’s most significant gatherings focused on water governance, infrastructure, and sustainability.
In preparation for this high-level forum, two key memoranda of understanding have been signed between the Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (Camwater) and the Yaoundé Conference Centre.
The agreements, signed on 16 July 2025, outline collaborative efforts to provide top-tier facilities and rehabilitate the venue’s potable water system.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Blaise Moussa, Director General of Camwater and current President of the AAEA, stated: “It is with deep pride and a profound sense of responsibility that we enter this decisive phase of the preparations.
” He emphasized that the partnership would transform the Yaoundé Conference Centre into a benchmark of technical, logistical, and sanitary excellence, aligned with Cameroon’s aspirations and international standards.
The first agreement focuses on optimizing the venue’s infrastructure for the congress — including space planning, service delivery efficiency, comfort, and health safety.
The second, more technical agreement, commits Camwater to refurbish and maintain the site’s water system while also training local personnel to ensure reliable and sustainable service before, during, and after the event.
Beyond logistical concerns, the collaboration reflects a broader commitment to sustainability. For Camwater, the initiative presents a strategic opportunity to reinforce its leadership in African water governance.
For the Conference Centre, it marks a shift from being a conventional venue to becoming a model for integrated public infrastructure management.
Officials hope that the initiative will attract further interest from international donors, sponsors, and investors, creating momentum for transformative water and sanitation projects across the continent.
The 2026 AAEA Congress in Yaoundé is expected to become a pivotal moment in Africa’s water agenda.
Amid increasing climate challenges, dwindling resources, and rising demand for safe drinking water, the event will convene policymakers, industry experts, NGOs, and financiers to discuss scalable, innovative solutions. “Every discussion and decision made in Yaoundé will have tangible impacts on African communities,” Moussa affirmed.
In the long term, Cameroon aims to position itself as a premier destination for international conferences, showcase its national efforts in water management, and contribute to a continent-wide push for universal access to clean water and sanitation.
