HWP at AfWASA: Hungarian Water Expertise and Bankable Solutions in Uganda
The Hungarian Water Partnership (HWP) successfully presented Hungarian water-sector expertise at the International Congress and Exhibition of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) in Kampala, Uganda. As one of the African continent’s most important water and sanitation events, the congress provided a valuable platform for professional dialogue, international cooperation and the development of new business partnerships.
Led by HWP President Dr Károly Kovács, the seven-member Hungarian delegation brought together senior professionals representing five HWP member companies, including Pureco.
Hungarian expertise supporting Africa’s water development
HWP representatives contributed to the professional programme with presentations addressing some of the most pressing questions facing the water sector:
The integration of water and climate objectives
Financing and banking strategies for water-infrastructure development
Appropriate and enabling regulatory frameworks
Sustainable and economically viable water technologies
International cooperation and knowledge transfer
Particular attention was given to innovative drinking-water and wastewater-treatment solutions designed to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6. These include Hungarian technologies recognised through the United Nations SDG partnership framework for their contribution to safe drinking-water supply and affordable wastewater and faecal-sludge treatment.
High-level panel on sustainable and bankable solutions
As a major contribution to the congress, HWP organised a dedicated high-level panel discussion focusing on sustainable and bankable solutions for water-sector development.
The session brought together Uganda’s Minister responsible for water resources, the President of the Uganda Chamber of Commerce, the President of the International Water Association and the Chief Executive Officer of AfWASA.
Their participation underlined the importance of cooperation among governments, utilities, businesses, financial institutions and professional organisations. Sustainable water infrastructure must not only respond effectively to environmental and public-health needs—it must also be financially realistic, operationally viable and adapted to local conditions.
The successful session demonstrated HWP’s ability to connect technological expertise with policy, financing and implementation, creating a valuable bridge between Hungarian water-sector capabilities and Africa’s development priorities.
Active participation in AfWASA’s strategic work
Ahead of the congress, Dr Károly Kovács participated in the AfWASA General Assembly. As a member of the AfWASA Strategic and Technological Council, he also contributed actively to the organisation’s strategic discussions and to the successful implementation of the event.
Throughout the congress, members of the Hungarian delegation held bilateral meetings with senior representatives of government institutions, utilities, businesses and financing organisations from Uganda and several other African countries. These discussions focused on projects already under development, prospective investment opportunities and the preparation of future water and sanitation initiatives.
In his capacity as President of the Africa Section of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Kovács also held productive discussions with the President of the Uganda Chamber of Commerce. Their meeting explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade relations and establish direct connections between Hungarian and Ugandan companies interested in entering each other’s markets.
Building long-term partnerships in Africa
HWP’s participation at the AfWASA Congress represented far more than a conference appearance. It supported the Partnership’s long-term objective of increasing the international visibility of Hungarian water-sector knowledge, technologies and professional expertise while building practical cooperation with African institutions and businesses.
The success of the presentations, bilateral discussions and high-level panel confirmed the growing demand for solutions that combine sustainability, affordability and bankability. It also demonstrated the important role professional networks can play in transforming knowledge and innovation into practical projects.
HWP extends its gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA), and the Kampala Office of the Embassy of Hungary for their valuable support and contribution to the success of the Hungarian delegation.
