Respected for his rigour in his work and the positions he takes when it comes to water and sanitation management in Africa, François Olivier Gosso has carved out his own path at the African Water and Sanitation Association (AAEA) and is now rising to the top of the organisation. The new Executive Director of the AAEA since 1 January 2024, he replaces Sylvain Usher, who held the post for more than 24 years (1999 - 2023).
The African Water and Sanitation Association (AAEA) is a soldier in its own right in the fight against the lack of drinking water and the proliferation of water-borne diseases being waged by governments and water stakeholders in Africa. Both because it brings together more than 100 members from over 40 countries, and because of its leading role in strengthening and developing water and sanitation initiatives on the continent. François Olivier Gosso has headed the organisation since 1 January 2024. This general engineer, specialising in electromechanical engineering, succeeds Sylvain Usher, who held the post for more than 24 years (1999-2023), and who is now an adviser to the AAEA’s Executive Committee.
François Olivier Gosso’s appointment is not without significance. He has more than 25 years’ experience in the water and sanitation sector on the continent. Between 2012 and 2015, he chaired the AAEA’s Unbilled Water Working Group, and between 2014 and 2018 he chaired the association’s Scientific and Technical Council (STC). The new head of the AAEA, which was founded in 1980, has also held the positions of production director and adviser to the CEO of the Ivorian Water Distribution Company (Sodeci), among others.
Challenges facing the new head of the AAEA
The electromechanical engineer arrives at the head of the AAEA at a time when water security is far from being achieved in many African countries. Poor water quality is responsible for 70-80% of diseases in Africa. The causes range from population growth to a lack of infrastructure and funding, as well as climate change.
François Olivier Gosso’s priority will perhaps be to strengthen the support given to its member states in implementing water management policies, with a view to achieving the sixth sustainable development goal (SDG 6), based on universal coverage with water and sanitation by 2030. Of course, this is without forgetting the three main missions of the AAEA, which are: to ensure coordinated action for the acquisition and improvement of knowledge in the field of water production and distribution and sanitation management from the technical, legal, administrative and economic points of view; to encourage the exchange of information on research, methods, processes and procedures for water production and distribution and sanitation; to create, encourage and promote all actions of cooperation and exchange in the field of professional training in the areas of water and sanitation.
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“We recognise that water and sanitation have an impact on health, education and the general development of the continent”, emphasises the African association, whose vision is to become a strong and recognised institution in building the capacity of its members to provide drinking water.
Inès Magoum
