From 17 to 21 August 2026, the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda will host a landmark gathering that embodies the very spirit of collective action. The Africa Water & Sanitation Systems Leadership Symposium 2026 is not just another conference — it’s a decisive moment to move Africa from commitments to delivery on water and sanitation.
A Turning Point for Africa’s Water Future
Co-convened by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and the Government of Rwanda, and facilitated by IRC, the symposium is designed to mobilize leadership at political, fiscal, financial, and technical levels. It’s a key step in launching Africa’s Systemic Transformation Agenda for Water and Sanitation and advancing the Africa Water Vision 2063.
As Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, put it: “Africa’s water challenge is no longer about identifying solutions — it is about leadership and institutional credibility”. This aligns perfectly with our belief that passion is the spark, but action is the fire.
Four Pillars of Transformation
The symposium is structured around four mutually reinforcing pillars designed to prepare national systems to attract large-scale investments:
| Pillar | Focus |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Aligning political will, fiscal discipline, technical performance, and development finance engagement |
| Regulation and Accountability | Strengthening legal clarity, tariff oversight, and enforcement capacity — building trust through transparency |
| Professionalisation | Empowering public institutions with skilled staff, planning tools, and bankable projects |
| Strategic Public Finance | Ensuring transparent, targeted public funding that blends domestic, concessional, and private resources |
Held during the African Union’s designated “Year of Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems” in 2026, the symposium will bring together over 1,000 African and global leaders — ministers, government leaders, development banks, regulators, utilities, civil society, and development partners.
Why Kigali? Rwanda’s selection as host reflects its recognised progress in institutional reform, accountability, and public-sector performance, offering a strong setting for a continental agenda centred on delivery. Outcomes from Kigali will inform Africa’s common position at the United Nations Water Conference in December 2026, supporting progress toward SDG 6 and the Africa Water Vision 2063.
🌍 Join the Movement: Register Now
This is your opportunity to be part of the conversation that will shape Africa’s water future. Whether you are a policymaker, financier, utility manager, researcher, or changemaker, your voice matters.
🔗 Register Today
👉 https://www.africawatersystems.org/about
Earth Focus Network Heads to Kigali – Connect With Us
At Earth Focus Network, we believe that environmental change is not a solo journey – it’s a collective movement. We are attending the symposium not as partners or exhibitors, but as active participants — to connect, learn, and bring valuable insights back to our growing global community.
What We Hope to Gain
🤝 Connection
The symposium brings together mission-aligned organizations across the continent. This is a unique opportunity to multiply our collective impact and build connections with leaders who share our vision.
📚 Learning
The four pillars of systemic transformation align closely with our values. These are conversations that will shape the future of water and sanitation investment across Africa — insights we’re eager to share with our network.
📣 Amplification
We don’t just connect you — we actively grow your visibility to increase your impact. As we do with all the events we attend, we will be sharing recaps, key takeaways, and actionable insights with our community through our news media channels and Slack community.
📢 Let’s Connect in Kigali!
If you’re attending, we’d love to meet you. Reach out to us to schedule a conversation during the event and explore how we can collaborate.
📧 Email us: Info@earthfocusnetwork.com
🌐 Visit us: www.earthfocusnetwork.com
What This Means for Our Network
For our members, this participation means:
- Exclusive insights from high-level policy dialogues
- Connection opportunities with African leaders and financiers
- Actionable frameworks for building credible, investable water projects
- Real-world case studies on what works in systems reform
Stay Connected
We’ll be sharing live updates and post-event recaps across our platforms:
- 📱 Slack Community — Real-time updates and networking
- 🌐 Earth Focus Network Website — Detailed recaps and insights
- 📧 Newsletter — Key takeaways delivered to your inbox
Earth Focus Network believes the future is not something we wait for — it’s something we build together. We’re heading to Kigali to help build it — and we hope to see you there.
Register now: https://www.africawatersystems.org/about
Connect with us: Info@earthfocusnetwork.com
