The Director General of the National Sanitation Office of Senegal (ONAS), Séni Diène, participated in the launch of the African Urban Sanitation Initiative. This initiative is a product of the African Water Facility.

The African Water Facility's senior sanitation specialist, Ms. Christine, outlined their areas of intervention in the field of sanitation, including ongoing support in countries such as Burkina Faso and Togo, before outlining investment prospects for the next ten years.

Dr. Mbaye Mbéguéré, one of the panelists, welcomed this initiative, which can add value in terms of capacity building for stakeholders in on-site sanitation and support for countries in developing flawed projects. "Through this initiative, the African Water Facility will help fill gaps and create more coherent financing pathways. The French Development Agency is ready to work with the African Water Facility on several aspects," assured Mbaye Mbéguéré of the French Development Agency (AFD).

The Director General of ONAS, Séni Diène, focused his remarks on the growing role of the private sector in sanitation in Senegal. This trend towards private sector dominance is explained by the conditions offered by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation. "We have begun delegating the management of sludge treatment plants to private companies. It's true that there have sometimes been problems. But it must be acknowledged that things have started to move forward. Thanks to partners such as the National Bank for Economic Development (BNDE), the Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship (DER), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Association of Sanitation Stakeholders of Senegal has been able to acquire sludge trucks equipped with new technologies," shared Director General Séni Diène of ONAS.

The other innovative aspect addressed by the Director General is the emphasis the authorities intend to place on the circular economy. The vision of the new authorities is to increase the reuse of treated wastewater and to produce more compost from sewage sludge and other sanitation byproducts. "Our conviction is to create value, wealth, and jobs from sewage sludge," stated Mr. Séni Diène on the second ^day of the African Water and Sanitation Association Congress being held in Yaoundé.

This meeting also highlighted the need for engineers to develop on-site sanitation systems, as well as for public authorities to recognize their institutional importance. "On-site sanitation should not be seen as a temporary solution but as a credible alternative to centralized sanitation. It's not just a matter of technology; it also involves regulation and innovative financing. Engineers need training," suggested Dr. Mbaye Mbéguéré.