(LUSAKA, ZAMBIA) – South Sudan has been admitted as a full member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Water and Sanitation Regulators Association (ESAWAS), strengthening its position within regional water governance networks.
The official confirmation was made on 25 September 2025 following the signing of ESAWAS’s constitution by a delegation from South Sudan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. The delegation was led by Undersecretary Hon Achier Manyuat John, who completed all membership formalities on behalf of the government.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by representatives from member institutions drawn from across Eastern and Southern Africa. Hon Achier thanked the ESAWAS leadership and said South Sudan would take an active role in shaping regulatory frameworks for water and sanitation in the region.
He said the country views the membership as a platform for practical cooperation in policy development, staff training and digital information systems for monitoring water supply and sanitation performance. He added that South Sudan aims to align its national regulatory standards with regional best practice to improve the delivery of water services to citizens.
South Sudan’s entry into ESAWAS comes at a time when several African governments are strengthening oversight of utilities to increase efficiency, cut revenue leaks and attract private investment into the sector. Membership also gives the ministry access to peer reviews, benchmarking tools and shared technical knowledge on tariff systems, consumer protection and rural water management.
| Key Benefits of ESAWAS Membership | Expected Impact for South Sudan |
|---|---|
| Regulatory training and capacity building | Stronger enforcement of service standards |
| Access to regional data and performance benchmarks | Better planning for rural and urban water projects |
| Participation in regional policy development | Greater influence in cross-border water initiatives |
| Opportunity for collaboration with donors and investors | Increased funding opportunities |
South Sudan faces ongoing challenges in expanding clean water access, particularly in rural counties and high growth urban areas such as Juba, Wau and Malakal. Authorities believe that by joining ESAWAS, the ministry can speed up reforms and avoid repeating mistakes made by neighbouring countries.
The Undersecretary received the official membership certificate from the ESAWAS chairperson in the presence of the association’s executive members. The Ministry’s press unit described the move as a key step in strengthening South Sudan’s role in regional decision making on water and sanitation.