ADDIS ABABA — Improved collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to enhance the country’s access to clean water and energy, Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa said during the opening of a two-day forum on the progress in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program, Clean Ethiopia program, and the energy sector.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, while significant progress has been made in clean water provision over the past 18 years, gaps remain, particularly in sanitation and hygiene. “As the plan is for everyone to have clean water nearby by 2030, we need to work in coordination to achieve it,” he emphasized. The minister also revealed that Ethiopia’s energy generation capacity is set to double within the next one or two years, but distribution challenges persist, making it difficult to connect everyone to the grid, both on-grid and off-grid.
Finance State Minister Semerita Sewasew highlighted the need for substantial investment in the WASH and energy sectors and the importance of a robust regulatory system to ensure effective management. She noted the critical role of WASH and energy not only for Ethiopia’s development but for the region as a whole.
Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council President, Nigusu Legesse, expressed confidence that stakeholder collaboration will lead to improved outcomes in the WASH and energy fields. The forum brought together key players from across the sector, including government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, NGOs, private developers, and others.