Kenya to host inaugural African Water Operators Forum

Kenya’s water sector is set to host the inaugural African Water Operators Forum (AWOF) 2026, bringing together key players from across the continent to explore ways of building stronger, more resilient and sustainable water services.

The three-day forum is scheduled to take place from November 24 to 26, 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The event will provide a platform for water utilities, governments, financial institutions, development partners, UN agencies and innovators to share experiences, explore partnerships and identify practical solutions to challenges facing the water and sanitation sector.

The Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) has received a special invitation to participate in the forum as both a delegate and exhibitor, highlighting its contribution to training, research and technical capacity development within the water sector.

The invitation was extended to KEWI Director/Chief Executive Officer Dr. Leiro Letangule, EBS, by GIWEH Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Mbaruku Vyakweli during a meeting held at KEWI Headquarters.

KEWI’s participation is expected to provide an opportunity for the institution to showcase its work in developing the skills and technical capacity required to support effective water and sanitation service delivery. The institution will also engage sector stakeholders on opportunities for skills development, technical cooperation and partnerships that can strengthen water services across Africa.

AWOF 2026 comes at a time when water operators across the continent are facing growing pressure from rapid urbanisation, climate variability, ageing and inadequate infrastructure, as well as limited access to financing. These challenges continue to place additional demands on utilities to improve efficiency, expand access and provide reliable and sustainable services to growing populations.

The forum will seek to promote practical approaches to addressing these challenges, with a particular focus on Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. Such partnerships provide opportunities for water operators to share technical expertise, operational experiences and innovations while supporting one another in improving service delivery.

The event is being convened by the Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health (GIWEH) and Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, under the patronage of the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya.

Institutional partners supporting the forum include UN-Habitat’s Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), WOPs International, the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).

Through its participation, KEWI will contribute to discussions on how capacity development can help water operators respond to emerging challenges and improve the sustainability of water and sanitation services.

The forum will also offer an opportunity for KEWI to demonstrate its role in equipping water-sector professionals with knowledge and technical skills while identifying areas where stronger continental cooperation can help address existing capacity gaps.

As African countries continue to pursue universal access to safe water and sanitation under Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), stakeholders are increasingly focusing on the importance of skilled personnel, strong institutions, technology and collaboration.

AWOF 2026 is therefore expected to provide a platform for water-sector leaders and practitioners to exchange knowledge, develop partnerships and explore solutions aimed at strengthening the continent’s water service systems.

KEWI’s involvement as a delegate and exhibitor will further position the institution within conversations on water-sector skills development, technical cooperation and innovation, while opening opportunities for collaboration with utilities and other organisations working to advance sustainable water services across Africa.