Deputy Minister Champions Africa’s Water Security Agenda at AU Summit.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has taken centre stage at the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. Deputy Minister Francis Alpha Kallon and Permanent Secretary Allieu Bakarr Conteh led the country’s delegation to the high-level gathering, held in the Ethiopian capital from 11th to 15th February 2026.

The delegation’s active participation directly supported the African Union’s 2026 Theme of the Year: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” This theme resonates deeply with Sierra Leone’s national mandate, positioning the Ministry as the lead institution driving water and sanitation transformation.

Deputy Minister Kallon and Permanent Secretary Conteh attended a pivotal High-Level Side Event dedicated to the 2026 theme. They witnessed the official launch of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and its accompanying Policy Framework, a continental strategy designed to revolutionise water governance, strengthen institutional systems, and secure sustainable financing for universal access.

During the 39th Ordinary Session, Deputy Minister Kallon joined fellow African ministers in formally endorsing the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy. This strategic framework aims to transform the continent’s water and sanitation landscape through enhanced governance mechanisms and innovative financing models, ensuring no community is left behind.

On the summit’s margins, Deputy Minister Kallon participated in a Ministerial Roundtable convened by AUDA-NEPAD in partnership with the World Bank. The session, themed “Accelerating Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene,” united ministers and development partners to consolidate technical priorities, validate WASH targets, and explore implementation strategies.

Discussions focused on private sector engagement and innovative financing mechanisms to drive sector-wide transformation. Deputy Minister Kallon seized the opportunity to present Sierra Leone’s Water Compact, a bold national commitment outlining four strategic priorities: strengthening sector capacity and reforms; improving financing through private investment; enhancing water resource management to achieve 80 percent access by 2030; and attaining open defecation-free status while expanding hygiene and sanitation services to 65 percent coverage.

Sierra Leone’s robust engagement at the African Union Summit underscores the Government’s unwavering dedication to advancing sustainable water management and safe sanitation systems. This participation aligns national development goals with continental aspirations, ensuring Sierra Leone remains at the forefront of Africa’s water security and sanitation transformation agenda.

Correspondent-Kadiatu Hassanatu Fofanah

Email: kadiefofanahd92@gmail.com

Tel: +232 30059592