Improved Water Access and Job Creation in the Senegal River Region

Senegal, Mali, Mauritania

This project aimed to improve the living conditions of poor rural communities living along the Senegal River Region. Its specific objective was to enhance access of low-income population in this region to safe drinking water while generating local employment opportunities. The project was expected to provide about 250,000 persons with access to safe drinking water and to create 300 job opportunities for the local population. While the project did partially reach some of the planned communities, and managed to successfully install and operate 40 water purification machines - problems emerged at the last phase of project implementation, pertaining to the slow process of permits and other regulatory matters with the OMVS (organization for the development of the Senegal River) and also with the local authorities of the villages in Mali and Mauritania. Furthermore, A2W decided to alter its business model and introduce what it called main and satellite water kiosks, which alters the scope of approved activities and intended number of beneficiaries. Finally, we learned through Swiss water of financial and administrative difficulties that A2W was going through, which raised doubts over its capacity to complete implementing the remaining phases of the project. A2W submitted satisfactory completion reports covering the activities that were undertaken, and thorough financial statements, including an audit report, covering the disbursed proceeds. The reports showed the full utilization of the entire disbursed amount of USD 500,000. Due to the challenges that emerged, and after consultation with the partner, the OPEC Fund decided to withdraw its support, and subsequently decided the cancellation of the remaining funds of USD 300,000. Jun 2020, SK