Access to sanitation and water services remains a major challenge in Africa. This situation is worsened by a fast population growth and sprawling and uncontrolled urbanization.

In 2008, the Wop movement was launched in Africa with the aims of (i) fostering the development and better performance in terms of access to drinking water and sanitation services in Africa, and (ii) overseeing the data collection, analysis and comparison of the sector performance through key performance indicators. The pilot phase (2009-2014) was launched with the joint funding from UN-Habitat, AfDB through the African Water Facility and USAID. Over the time, number of partnerships had been implemented, addressing water and sanitation challenges and since 2016, the bill and Melinda Gates foundation through the Reinforcing African sanitation operators on faecal sludge management systems through peer-to-peer learning partnerships project (RASOP-Africa)" implemented in five African country cities and now expanding to the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) program in fifty-two cities of fourteen (14) countries has significantly support the sanitation branch.

GWOPA 4th congress offers a best opportunity to our platform to show case on the success and challenges of the WOP movement in our region and discuss on the way forward to better serve our populations.