INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

Theme: Accelerating Universal WASH Access in Sub-Saharan Africa

Date: 14-15 February 2026

Venue: African Union Headquarters & Sheraton Hotel – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

Registration: https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20251224/39th-au-summit-online-registration-journalists-now-open

WHAT

The African Union Water and Sanitation Heads of State and Government Forum will convene African Heads of State, Ministers, development partners and private sector leaders on the margins of the African Union Summit to accelerate universal access to Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Jointly organized by AUDA NEPAD and the World Bank Group, the Forum represents a defining milestone for the region’s WASH agenda translating political leadership into concrete national commitments coordinated investment and systems level reform.

WHY

Water sustains people, powers economies, grows food and supports ecosystems. Water dependent sectors, including agriculture energy and industry, support around 1.7 billion jobs globally making water security a cornerstone of economic growth. Expanding access to safe water and sanitation improves health, frees up time especially for women and enables greater participation in education and the workforce. In Africa, every dollar invested in water and sanitation generates an estimated seven-dollar return.

Sub-Saharan Africa faces an urgent WASH access gap that demands system wide transformation. Despite progress approximately one third of the population and nearly half of rural residents still lack access to basic improved water while two thirds of the population lack sanitation. These deficits undermine health, economic productivity and climate resilience making accelerated coordinated action essential.

The African Union has elevated WASH as a continental priority by declaring 2026 the Year of Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems reinforcing WASH as a pillar of Agenda 2063 and building on momentum from the 2023 UN Water Conference and Addis WASH Leadership Summit.

KEY MOMENTS FOR MEDIA

1. Heads of State Forum – 14 February 2026 - Multipurpose Hall, African Union Headquarters

A public high-level session over lunch time during which a select group of Heads of State and Government from Eastern and Southern Africa will announce progress on national WASH Compacts setting targets toward universal access by 2035 financing commitments from domestic and external partners and governance reforms.

1. Ministerial Roundtable – 15 February 2026 – Sheraton Addis Hotel

Official launch of the Accelerating Access to Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Eastern and Southern Africa regional multi-phase program that aims to reach more than 30 million people in 12 countries by 2032.

High level panel discussions and deliberations with government officials, development partners, DFIs and private sector leaders on financing partnerships and co financing opportunities.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Announcement of national WASH commitments and progress on the preparation of WASH Compacts.
• Official launch of the World Bank financed regional program on accelerating access to WASH in Eastern and Southern Africa, including 12 implementing countries and AUDA NEPAD.

ABOUT THE REGIONAL PROGRAM

The Accelerating Access to Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Eastern and Southern Africa program aims to deliver sustainable WASH services to more than 30 million people by 2032. By sequencing policy reform, institutional strengthening infrastructure, investment, and private capital mobilization, the program moves beyond project-by-project approaches toward coordinated scalable solutions. Its regional design long term horizon and integrated systems signal a new era of coordinated action and investment.

PARTICIPANTS

• Heads of State and Government
• Ministers of Water, Finance, and Planning
• World Bank Group senior management
• AUDA NEPAD leadership
• Development partners DFIs and MDBs
• Private sector representatives

MEDIA INFORMATION

Media accreditation for coverage of the African Union Water and Sanitation Heads of State and Government Forum is conducted as part of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

All journalists and media professionals wishing to cover the Forum and the African Union Summit must complete the mandatory online media accreditation process administered by the African Union Commission and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Accreditation is conducted exclusively through the official African Union online registration platform. Media personnel are required to submit their personal details professional credentials and a list of media equipment in advance in accordance with AU Summit procedures.

Accredited journalists will be issued official press badges granting access to designated media zones including the Media Center and other approved areas within the African Union Headquarters. Access to all official venues is permitted only with the appropriate accreditation badge which must be worn visibly at all times.

The Ethiopian Media Authority will also establish a support desk at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to assist accredited media upon arrival including with equipment declarations and logistical guidance.

All journalists attending the Summit must register through the official African Union accreditation link below:

https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20251224/39th-au-summit-online-registration-journalists-now-open

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For media inquiries and interviews please contact:

AUDA-NEPAD: Zipporah Maubane | Head of Communication and Advocacy AUDA-NEPAD  |  Zipporahm@auda-nepad.org  |  +27 83 379 8441

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke I Communication Officer I Information and Communication Directorate I African Union Commission I Email: Molalett@africa-union.org I Addis Ababa, Ethiopia