The Sanitation Service Chain Action Research Project city-to-city workshop, held from 26th to 27th November 2024, brought together stakeholders from four African cities—Lusaka, Zambia; Kigali, Rwanda; Kampala, Uganda; and Kisumu, Kenya. This dynamic event united city officials, emptiers, researchers, and key partners to share insights and strategies for addressing urban sanitation challenges.

The workshop served as a platform for the cities participating in the Sanitation Service Chain Action Research Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to exchange experiences and explore innovative solutions. The project aims to enhance the cost-effectiveness, safety, and coverage of faecal sludge management services from 2024 to 2026, with specific goals including:

1. Improving the efficiency and reach of faecal sludge management services.
2. Establishing meaningful public-private partnerships between city authorities and small/medium enterprises (SMEs).
3. Developing sustainable sanitation markets to benefit low-income communities.

Participants collaborated on critical topics, achieving the following outcomes:

• Knowledge Sharing: Cities exchanged strategies to improve sanitation services for low-income communities, focusing on safety and hygiene.
• Solution-Oriented Discussions: Insights on overcoming challenges in faecal sludge management, including reducing costs while improving coverage and safety.Partnership Strategies:
• Exploration of successful public-private partnerships across the cities.Best Practices: Learning from each city’s unique approaches to addressing sanitation challenges.

Key Participants
The event featured diverse stakeholders, including:

• Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC)
• National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO)
• Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA)
• Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA)
• Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO)
• Zambia Emptier Association (ZEA)

The Action Research Project is Implemented by the following organisations in each city:
Partners In Development South Africa Overall Project Lead
CaDev_Capacity Development Lusaka Project Lead
Pit Vidura Kigali Project Lead
OPERO-Services Kampala and Kisumu Project Lead