Achieving safely managed water services in Africa: unpacking the challenge

This briefing note summarises an expert discussion on the priorities and strategies for pursuing safely managed water services in Africa while leaving no-one behind, as embodied in Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). In its 2021-2025 Safe Water Strategy, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation commits to bring safe water services to vulnerable populations in Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda, and globally. The discussion, the third in the Safe Water Strategy E-Learning series, was convened by IRC for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation on 18 March 2021. The briefing note discusses the implications of the SDG 6 ambitions for national authorities and service providers, with a special focus on the progress so far in the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation's three focus countries. While basic water services are essential for those lacking services, the briefing note concludes that basic is not enough to deliver on the SDG 6 aspiration as it fails to achieve the full realisation of the human right to safe water. Expert presenters at the discussion included Tom Slaymaker (JMP), Paul Orengoh (AMCOW), Catarina de Albuquerque (SWA), Kelebogile Khunou (SERI), Bruce Gordon (WHO), Siméon Kenfack (AFWA), Farai Tunhuma (UNICEF), Ranjiv Khush (Aquaya), Eng Joseph Eyatu (MWE) and Yaver Abidi (WSUP), Abiy Girma (OWNP, GoE), Zinash Kefale (WaterAid), Eng. Worlanyo Siabi (CWSA), Ing. Harold Esseku (WB).