In a move to address water accessibility challenges, the Global Water Center (GWC) has announced a new initiative to improve access to safely managed water in East Africa.
The project, backed by a $1.1 million (Sh142.5 million) grant from the Grundfos Foundation and The Coca-Cola Foundation, will focus on Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
The initiative aims to tackle the critical shortage of water professionals in the region by developing vocational training programs and strengthening government capacity in rural water sectors.
According to Kim Nøhr Skibsted, CEO of the Grundfos Foundation, “Safe and reliable water access is key to livelihoods, health, and social progress. This project will help governments build the technical skills needed to maintain water systems.”
The Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) report underscores the urgency, revealing that many African countries have less than 50% of the workforce required for water and sanitation infrastructure, posing significant sustainability risks.
Key focus areas of the project include identifying training gaps, designing vocational courses for water professionals, and partnering with local and global stakeholders to ensure sustainability and scalability. While the $1.1 million grant funds the first phase, GWC is seeking additional partners to support the full rollout.
“We invite others to collaborate and help drive systemic change for safe, reliable water access across East Africa,” said Thomas Johnston, CEO of GWC.
