Sewerage systems in African cities vary widely depending on factors such as urbanization levels, infrastructure development, and available resources. In some cities, especially larger ones or those with more developed infrastructure, there are comprehensive sewerage systems that collect and treat wastewater before discharge. However, in many African cities, especially smaller or less developed ones, sewerage systems may be limited or nonexistent, leading to challenges in managing wastewater and sanitation. In such cases, alternative solutions like decentralized wastewater treatment, septic tanks, or onsite sanitation systems may be more common. The level of investment and prioritization of sanitation infrastructure also play significant roles in the quality and coverage of sewerage systems across African cities.

On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority (AAWSA) entered into a contract with CGCOC, a construction contractor, to initiate the construction of an Eastern Catchment Wastewater Treatment Plant. This significant project is backed by a $145 million financing from the World Bank and is expected to bring considerable advantages to over 1.2 million residents of the city.

A modern sewerage disposal system is essential infrastructure for a rapidly expanding city like Addis Ababa, which is experiencing significant growth in population. The city administration has been actively engaged in improving the sewerage disposal system by focusing on the construction of wastewater treatment plants and increasing the number of customers connected to the sewerage line.

Engineer Zerihun Abate, General Manager of Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority, reports that currently, Addis Ababa’s wastewater treatment plants has a combined treatment capacity of 190,000 cubic meters per day, a substantial increase from 70,000 cubic meters per day just five years ago. The signing of this project has significant impact in the sewerage disposal of the city. The Eastern Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction project is a design, build and operate project, which has 104-thousand-meter cube per day treatment capacity. The Wastewater treatment plant will be constructed by a Chinese company named CGCOC. The first female mayor of Addis Ababa, Mayor Adanech Abiebie extended heartfelt gratitude to the World Bank for their contribution to various sectors of the city and reiterated her administration’s commitment to serving the city diligently including providing adequate sewerage system for the growing metropolis.

Ledet Muleta