As part of UNESCO Africa Week 2026 in Paris, the Nigeria Delegation to UNESCO organized a session dedicated to sustainable access to water and sanitation across Africa. The event brought together international stakeholders, experts, and country representatives to exchange perspectives on the challenges and opportunities surrounding water security and sustainable development on the continent.
Representing the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and its Water Committee, Ms. Lylian Coelho, delivered an intervention focused on the urgent need to move “from knowledge to action” to achieve sustainable access to water and sanitation.
In her remarks, Mme Coelho emphasized that while Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) remains central, water issues extend far beyond a single development objective and require integrated, systemic responses.
“The challenge is not technological, but rather the lack of effective systems to deploy solutions at scale, driven primarily by governance, financing, and human capacity.” – Lylian Coelho, WFEO Water Committee Member
She highlighted the importance of capacity building as a cornerstone of sustainable water management and underscored the role of WFEO through its 10-year “Engineering Capacity Building for Africa Programme.” The programme aims to strengthen engineering competencies, foster collaboration, and support sustainable and systemic approaches to development across Africa.
Drawing on a concrete public-private partnership example in Senegal, Ms. Coelho illustrated how integrated models can successfully combine operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and positive social impact at scale.
The session also facilitated valuable exchanges with representatives from Angola, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, and Nigeria, reinforcing the importance of regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnerships in addressing water-related challenges.
During the same session, Dr. Eng. Martin Manuhwa, Chair of the WFEO Committee on Engineering Capacity Building (CECB), delivered a presentation titled:
“International Collaboration under the WFEO Engineering Capacity Building for Africa Programme: The Impact of Water Infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence to Achieve SDG 6.”
His presentation highlighted the critical role of engineering innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital transformation in accelerating progress toward SDG 6 and supporting sustainable development across Africa.
Dr. Manuhwa addressed key challenges facing the continent’s water and sanitation sector, including limited access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation infrastructure, rapid urbanization, climate change impacts, water scarcity, and aging infrastructure systems.
A major focus of the presentation was the transformative potential of AI-enabled infrastructure systems in water management. Technologies such as machine learning, predictive analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, GIS and satellite monitoring, and smart sensors were highlighted as tools capable of improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, strengthening resilience, and enhancing sustainability outcomes.
The presentation also showcased the WFEO Engineering Capacity Building for Africa Programme (ECBAP), including successful pilot programmes and capacity-building initiatives implemented across Africa, such as:
- “AI for Engineers” training programmes in Kenya
- AI-assisted agricultural production CPD programmes in Uganda
- Water and wastewater treatment pilot programmes in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia
- Digital Engineering Transformation webinars and WFEO Academy learning initiatives
Implemented in collaboration with UNESCO, FAEO, Stellenbosch University, development partners, and regional stakeholders, these initiatives have strengthened competencies in water treatment management, wastewater management, operational efficiency, and regional technical cooperation.
Overall, the discussions reaffirmed that achieving water security in Africa will require integrated solutions that combine innovation, investment, partnerships, engineering capacity building, and strong governance frameworks rooted in a human rights-based approach.
WFEO remains committed to supporting engineering-led solutions and collaborative initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and improved access to essential services across Africa.
The full report and presentation are available below:
Report
Presentation
MAY
2026