Market-Based Sanitation In Ethiopia Highlighted At The UN:
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health and USAID Transform WASH Take Their Scale-Up Story to the UN Water Conference 2023
Author: Mekdim Hailu, Project Communication Manager, PSI Ethiopia
Water and sanitation are critical resources for human survival, yet millions of people around the world still lack access to them. The UN 2023 Water Conference, a long-awaited event that took place from March 22–24, brought together experts from around the world to discuss the latest innovations and success stories in the sector. One such success was presented by USAID Transform WASH and the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, which showcased their market-based sanitation (MBS) approaches, which aim to increase household demand for and access to quality, affordable sanitation products and services.
MBS builds the capacity of businesses to spark household investment in improved sanitation facilities by offering affordable product and service options to household customers. This approach is bringing about a revolutionary change in the Ethiopian WASH sector. With more than 100,000 households upgraded and 160,000 products sold, Transform WASH (T/WASH) has significantly impacted the health and well-being of communities.
The UN Water conference provided an opportunity for representatives of the Ethiopian government, including the State Minister of Health, H.E. Dr Dereje Duguma, to present the successes of MBS in Ethiopia and discuss how this approach can be scaled up and replicated in other countries. “With respect to the sanitation sector in Ethiopia, there is a lot being done,” said Dr. Dereje. “Market-Based Sanitation is a leading approach among Ethiopia’s sanitation programs with MBS guidelines being disseminated and 431 business centers established to increase access to affordable sanitation products. This will ensure affordability in the near future,” he concluded.
USAID and other organizations were also represented at the conference, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving WASH goals. Michael Negash, the Deputy Chief Party of T/WASH, presented the T/WASH journey to increase supply and demand and improve the enabling environment for the sanitation market. He explained that MBS offers a distinctive approach to enhancing sanitation coverage in the country. “Rather than relying on traditional aid models that often distribute free or heavily subsidized sanitation products, MBS creates sustainable and affordable solutions, integrating market forces and supporting businesses to grow,” he said.
Michael presented how T/WASH has been providing capacity building through training and coaching of local entrepreneurs, ensuring that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to market and sell sanitation products. As a result, the MBS approach has led to increased entrepreneurship and economic development, creating a win-win situation for both the private sector and the community.
The UN Water conference also provided an opportunity to discuss the government’s efforts to promote the MBS approach throughout Ethiopia and improve access to affordable sanitation for all. The government is working toward scaling MBS implementation to all woredas, implementing targeted sanitation subsidies, providing tax relief to increase affordability, and increasing loan capital for households to purchase and businesses to expand. In summary, the market-based sanitation approach has been a game changer for Ethiopia’s WASH sector and the success stories presented at the UN 2023 water conference are a testament to its effectiveness. Private sector involvement, capacity building, and government commitment to expand the approach nationwide have been critical to its success. The multi-stakeholder partnerships, innovations, and evidence-based programs presented at the conference demonstrated the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve the goals of WASH globally. As we continue to work to improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services worldwide, MBS offers a sustainable and affordable solution that can be tailored to the needs of markets across the world.
About Transform WASH
USAID Transform WASH aims to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) outcomes in Ethiopia by increasing market access to and sustained use of a broader spectrum of affordable WASH products and services, with a substantial focus on sanitation. Transform WASH achieves this by transforming the market for low-cost quality WASH products and services: stimulating demand at the community level, strengthening supply chains, and improving the enabling environment for a vibrant private market.
USAID Transform WASH is a USAID-funded activity implemented by PSI in collaboration with SNV, and IRC WASH. The consortium is working closely with government agencies, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity, the One WASH National Program, and regional and sub-regional governments.
