KIGALI – “Supply and Sanitation (WSS) reforms to accelerate service delivery in Africa are possible with the right leadership”, Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, the Managing Director, National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), said while delivering his second keynote presentation at the International Water Association (IWA) Water and Development Congress and Exhibition (WDCE) 2023 underway at Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda.
Drawing examples from Uganda’s Water utility, which is regarded as the most effective on the African continent; Dr. Mugisha tipped water sector players on robust utility reforms to bolster water and access, especially in developing countries.
Addressing water sector stakeholders, Dr. Mugisha also the President of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWSA) outlined key success factors for service delivery, including widespread technology adoption, digital penetration, governance framework adherence, and a robust corporate-wide productivity management system. He stressed the importance of continuous strategic partnerships, consistent tariff indexation, and cost optimization as critical elements for accelerating service delivery in developing nations.
Advocating for financial autonomy and self-reliance, Dr. Mugisha urged water regulators and leaders to foster beneficial partnerships for enhanced service delivery. “Balancing water as a basic life necessity with a resource-driven service offering is key for effective service delivery,” he emphasized.
Dr. Mugisha encouraged utility providers to establish strategic directions, prioritizing rationale over mere formalities in the reform process. Illustrating NWSC’s exemplary growth over the last decade, he showcased achievements in revenue, pipe network expansion, and customer base augmentation.
NWSC’s commitment to leveraging technology for improved service delivery is evident, with the corporation’s impressive growth statistics. Over the past decade, NWSC’s jurisdiction expanded from 23 to 268 towns, serving 18 million people with piped water, a number projected to reach 28 million by 2028. Customer connections surged from 296,000 to 874,000, expected to reach 1,250,000 by 2028.
The corporation’s pipe network has also witnessed a remarkable increase from 5,073Kms to 22,000Kms, with plans to extend to 32,000Kms by 2028. NWSC’s annual turnover soared from Shs155 billion to Ugx519 billion, with projections reaching Shs700 billion by 2028.
