Cameroon is currently hosting the 23rd International Congress and Exhibition of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA). This strategic gathering brings together decision-makers, experts, and technical partners in the Cameroonian capital to brainstorm sustainable solutions for universal access to drinking water and sanitation across Africa.
On Monday, February 9, 2026, the official opening ceremony was presided over by Gaston Eloundou Essomba, Cameroon’s Minister of Water and Energy (MINEE). The event was attended by several government members, including Célestine Ketcha Courtès, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, and Joseph Lé, Minister of the Civil Service and Administrative Reform.
In his official opening address, Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba reminded the audience that access to drinking water and sanitation remains one of Africa’s major development challenges. He stressed that water is not only a vital resource and a public health priority but also a lever for economic development and a factor for social stability.
Participants at this gathering were Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation of the Republic of Senegal and President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), alongside numerous national and international figures, representatives of regional organizations, technical and financial partners, and stakeholders from the water and sanitation sector.
As an official sponsor of the congress, MTN positioned itself as a strategic partner for this major continental gathering dedicated to the theme: “Water and Sanitation for All.”
As a committed pan-African company, the telecommunications operator MTN highlighted the pivotal role of digitalization and new technologies in improving water access for populations.
Speaking to the media, Franck Gérard Kom, General Manager of Business and Strategy at MTN Cameroon, emphasized on the link between the MTN Group’s vision and the congress’s objectives. He noted that water is a vital resource, playing the same role like connectivity, which has become an essential lever for development in today’s society. MTN, he recalled, firmly believes that every African deserves the benefits of a modern connected life, and that this connectivity can accelerate and facilitate water access across all its components.
To demonstrate this, MTN fully connected the congress site, providing participants with a resolutely digital experience. According to the company, this was a concrete example of how digital tools can transform organizational methods, improve efficiency, and support innovative solutions in the water and sanitation sector.
ESG Commitment and Concrete Actions
Beyond the event itself, MTN showcased its structural commitment through its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) program, which places the responsible use of water at the heart of its priorities. The group stated it has significantly reduced its water consumption, including within its infrastructure such as data centers. Through the MTN Foundation, several initiatives are also underway to bring water points closer to communities in various regions of Cameroon.
One of the highlights of the congress was the presentation of innovative technological solutions at the MTN stand designed to modernize water management. Olivier Noumbi, Solutions Architect at MTN, presented a smart water meter system to the authorities. These devices measure consumption in real-time and automatically transmit data to the digital platform of the national operator, Camwater.
According to MTN experts, this technology offers multiple benefits. For Camwater, it will help increase revenue and reduces water loss across the network. At the consumer level, it will ensure more accurate and transparent billing while strengthening trust in the operator through full visibility of daily consumption.
Future Outlook for Cameroon
Already deployed in South Africa and Uganda, this solution could soon be launched in Cameroon. A tender for the acquisition of 40,000 smart meters has been announced, which MTN intends to bid for. If successful, users could benefit from the ability to prepay for their water consumption—similar to current electricity services—with precise, real-time tracking.
By leveraging digitalization, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), MTN aims to support sector stakeholders in more efficient water management, including fault prediction, leak detection, and network optimization. This innovative approach seeks to reduce waste, improve service quality, and guarantee better water access for African populations.
Through its active participation in this 23rd International Congress, MTN reaffirms its role as a socially responsible company committed to putting technology at the service of sustainable development and the continent’s water sovereignty.
