KIGALI - Kigali will next month host the third African awards ceremony for sanitation and hygiene achievers alongside the African Sanitation and Hygiene Conference (AfricaSan 3).

The awards are aimed at recognising outstanding efforts and achievements in sanitation and hygiene in Africa with a focus on sustainable behavioural change and tangible impact.

"The awards aim at raising the profile of sanitation and hygiene by drawing attention to successful approaches, promoting excellence in leadership, innovation and sanitation and hygiene improvements in Africa,” a statement from the awards organisers reads in part.

The awards are organised by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW). Previous awards have recognised outstanding achievements in areas of leadership, technical innovation, NGOs and civil society, public service and distinguished Woman Leader in Sanitation and Hygiene.

This year, three categories have been put up for awards, among them; the utilities, local government and the media awards.

Meanwhile, the conference is expected to draw 800 delegates from 45 countries.

In a previous interview, James Sano, the coordinator of Water Supply and Sanitation in the Ministry of Infrastructure, said Rwanda was nominated to host the conference based on its performance in offering proper sanitation and ensuring hygiene for citizens.

According to Sano, the conference will be a peer-to-peer learning adding that Rwanda will use the opportunity to showcase her achievements, strategies, as well as learn from other countries' best practices.

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