ABOUT THE FORUM

A Platform for Collective Action

The High-Level WASH Forum serves as a strategic platform for dialogue, partnership-building, and action. It underscores the importance of collective leadership and collaboration in driving transformational change and accelerating sustainable access to water and sanitation across Africa.

The programme, titled “Accelerating Access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Eastern and Southern Africa Multi-phase Programmatic Approach (AFE WASH MPA)”, forms part of a broader multi-phase programmatic approach designed to:

  • Strengthen WASH governance and institutional capacity
  • Improve policy coherence and cross-sector coordination
  • Build climate-resilient systems for sustainable service delivery
  • Mobilise innovative and scalable financing solutions

The WASH MPA represents a long-term, systems-based approach to transforming WASH service delivery across the region.

14 February, AU Headquarters

Launch of the WASH PACTS

The Forum will also feature the official announcement of the WASH PACTS, which reflect the collective commitment of participating countries to implement sector-specific reforms and investments. These national commitments are central to advancing systemic change and accelerating progress toward universal access to water and sanitation.

15 February, Sheraton

Ministerial roundtable

Following the launch ceremony, a high-level panel discussion will convene Ministers of Water and Finance, senior leadership from commercial banks, World Bank senior management, and development partners.


The discussion will focus on three core pillars:

  • Systems Change in WASH: Exploring how national leadership can drive sector-wide transformation through policy alignment, institutional strengthening, and enhanced cross-sector coordination.
  • Mobilising Finance for Sustainable WASH: Examining how to scale impact by leveraging public budgets, commercial finance, innovative financial instruments, and climate finance to support systemic reforms and long-term service delivery.
  • Digital and Data-Driven Transformation: Highlighting the role of digital tools, real-time data, and evidence-based systems in strengthening planning, performance monitoring, transparency, and accountability across the WASH sector.

The High-Level Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Forum, taking place on 14 and 15 February 2026 at the African Union Headquarters, will mark the official launch of the WASH Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach (MPA). Convened by African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in partnership with the World Bank, the Forum will bring together Ministers, financial institutions, and development partners to advance systems change in the WASH sector, mobilise sustainable financing, and strengthen the use of digital and data-driven solutions to accelerate access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene across Africa.

For further information or if you have any questions regarding this event, please don't hesitate to contact wash@icpublications.com