ETHIOPIA’S PATH TO UNIVERSAL WASH COVERAGE
INTEGRATING MARKET-BASED SANITATION CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT INTO GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS.
Author: Bacha Kites, WASH Business Capacity Lead, PSI Ethiopia and Mekdim Hailu, Project Communication Manager, PSI Ethiopia
Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is critical for public health and socio-economic development. However, achieving universal sanitation faces major challenges, especially in Ethiopia. These challenges include socio-cultural barriers, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to clean water, poor sanitation facilities, a lack of skilled labor to build quality sanitation facilities, and a lack of entrepreneurial skills in sanitation. Recent data underscores the urgency of addressing these issues, as only 9% of Ethiopians have access to improved sanitation facilities.
In this article, we look at how Transform WASH has recognized the need for sustainable capacity building to achieve universal sanitation coverage. USAID Transform WASH has introduced a transformative solution: Market-Based Sanitation (MBS). By leveraging market dynamics, MBS improves access to affordable sanitation products and services. To achieve universal WASH coverage, MBS and WASH business development programs need to be integrated into the Ethiopian government framework, particularly by building the technical capacity of the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) and training a skilled workforce capable of delivering quality WASH products and services. This integration will ensure that market-based sanitation solutions contribute to achieving universal WASH coverage.
SUCCESS AND SCALE THROUGH GOVERNMENT INTEGRATION
USAID Transform WASH recently reached an important milestone by integrating the WASH business development program into the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) program. In doing so, technical skills within the MoLS have been strengthened through standardized training materials and skills assessments, creating a program to train the workforce to deliver quality WASH products and services.
Although the integration process faced challenges, a systematic approach ensured success. Comprehensive strategies such as conducting a SWOT analysis, creating a reference framework for institutionalization, and developing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor and Skills, and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute facilitated collaboration. Transform WASH also advocated to include MoLS in national and sub-national WASH working groups to promote knowledge sharing and alignment with sector priorities.
In addition, Transform WASH focuses on capacity building, institutionalization, and knowledge dissemination to address urgent challenges and achieve sustainable improvements in WASH coverage and service quality. The integration process followed carefully planned steps and involved government partners and stakeholders through national and regional workshops. Standardized competency assessments ensured uniform skills acquisition and formal integration of WASH competencies into the MoLS system. The distribution of training, testing, and learning materials (TTLM) to sub-national MoLS structures further strengthened the commitment to comprehensive skills development.
As the integration efforts continue, challenges exist, such as aligning training with competency frameworks and MoLS’s limited familiarity with the WASH sector. Transform WASH will address these challenges by expanding training, offering continuous support, and working with the MoLS to solidify WASH expertise. Through continued knowledge sharing, we can ensure MoLS has the ongoing support and resources needed to become a driving force for sustainable WASH improvements across Ethiopia.
