New Era For Water, Sanitation, Hygiene: National Water Compact Moves Into Final Drafting Phase

The Ministry of Water Resources and Energy (MINEE) and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, have accelerated the development of the National Water Compact. This strategic framework is designed to serve as the primary vehicle for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) - ensuring universal and equitable access to drinking water and sanitation by 2030. This follows the hosting by UNICEF of a media briefing in Yaounde on April 6, 2026 to discuss progress on the subject.

Common Front On Water Security
Achille Hermann Ngoko, Director of Water Resources Mobilization in the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, described the Compact as a landmark initiative aimed at "bringing together all ongoing actions" within the sector. The initiative unites an unprecedented coalition of stakeholders, including public services, decentralized local authorities, private sector actors, research organizations, and international technical and financial partners.
The core objective is to streamline efforts that have historically been fragmented. By securing high-level strategic support, the government aims to ensure that the implementation of water projects is fluid and that the current pace of the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy (SND30) is significantly increased.

Closing The Access Gap
The urgency of the Compact is underscored by current data provided by United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF Cameroon. While the national water access rate currently stands at 77%, the government and its partners have set an ambitious target to reach 90% by 2030.
Juliette Haenni, UNICEF Cameroon Deputy Representative, emphasized that the Compact is specifically designed to address the needs of the most vulnerable. "This involves actions to ensure that the most vulnerable, particularly women and children, have access to water in remote and hard-to-reach areas," Haenni stated. She further noted that improving this access is a direct health intervention, as it will tangibly reduce childhood illnesses across the country.

Strategic Validation, Drafting
The National Water Compact is currently in its critical drafting phase. Last week, the process reached a major milestone with a high-level strategic roundtable personally chaired by the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba.
This roundtable served as a platform for stakeholders to validate strategic orientations and mobilize the necessary political and financial commitments. According to Mr. Ngoko, the team is currently "enriching the document" based on the inputs from this session before it is submitted to the appropriate authorities for final review.

Media’s Role In Accountability
Recognizing that public awareness and citizen monitoring are vital for the Compact's success, MINEE and UNICEF organized a Media Café on April 6, 2026. Held in the UNICEF hea...