At a regional workshop on financing the water sector in Central Africa, participants expressed the urgent need for investments in basin, national and regional organizations. In addition, participants validated the proposed regional strategy for financing the water sector and its mechanism as proposed by GWP Central Africa (GWP-CAf). One participant called the strategy “relevant, consistent and forward looking.”

GWP Cameroon has cooperated with the Kumbo Urban Council and the locally managed Kumbo Water Authority to improve the management of water supply in Kumbo, Cameroon where the ownership of the water supply system has resulted in a more than thirty year long conflict.

Although integrating IWRM into existing management structures is a long-term endeavour, taking a consultative approach raises awareness, fosters community participation and encourages different sectors to coordinate their efforts.

GWP Central Africa technical experts helped the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) draft the regional water policy aligning country water policies within a coherent regional framework.

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and key donors such as the African Development Bank signed an agreement providing funds to translate the Regional Water Policy adopted by heads of state in October 2009 into action. The allocation of funding is a crucial step along the road to improving water management in the region.

In June, GWP Central Africa gathered senior officials from water, finance and economic ministries in nine out of ten countries in the region to discuss sustainable funding in the water sector for the first time ever.

GWP-CAf facilitated meetings with the Secretariat of the International Commission for the Congo–Oubangui–Sangha Basin (CICOS).