1.1.1. The Government of Côte d’Ivoire is increasingly prioritizing sanitation, as evidenced by the adoption of several measures, including: (i) the policy letter for the sanitation and drainage sector in February 2016; (ii) the creation of the National Sanitation and Drainage Office (ONAD) in 2011; and (iii) the National Sanitation and Drainage Fund (FNAD) in 2011. This political commitment was reaffirmed in the National Development Plan (PND) 2016-2020.

1.1.2. Since becoming operational in 2014, ONAD has undertaken initiatives to update and implement 16 Master Plans for Sanitation and Drainage (SDAD) in the cities of Abengourou, Abidjan, Bouaké, Bondoukou, Daloa, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Gagnoa, Grand-Bassam, Korhogo, Man, Odienné, San-Pédro, Séguéla, Soubré, and Yamoussoukro.

1.1.3. Since on-site sanitation is practiced by more than 80% of the urban population, ONAD, in its 2016-2020 strategic plan, dedicated a specific program to this sub-sector, structured around: (1) raising household awareness about the construction of individual systems that comply with standards, (2) strengthening the capacities of septic tank emptying operators, and (3) the construction and operation of sludge treatment plants (STBV) in the regional capitals of Côte d’Ivoire.

1.1.4. The implementation of the second component of the program began with the registration and training of septic tank emptying operators. An interministerial decree established a license to operate a sludge removal and transport business, effective March 3, 2015. A guarantee fund of 200 million FCFA was set up in February 2018. This fund has been operational since November 2018 through the opening of two accounts, each with a balance of 100 million FCFA, in two local banks.

1.1.5. The implementation of the third pillar of this program began with the construction of the Korhogo sludge treatment plant (STBV), with a capacity of 100 m³/day, completed in December 2016 and operational since March 8, 2017. Construction of the Bouaké and San-Pedro STBVs began in 2018, with commissioning scheduled before the end of 2019. Construction of the Abidjan, Katiola, and Yamoussoukro units will begin during the same year. Furthermore, financing for the remaining 10 units has just been finalized through a joint financial contribution from the FBMG and the IDB.

1.1.6. However, the financial statement for the direct management of the Korhogo STBV shows a deficit of 82.2%. This is why ONAD seized the opportunity of the AUSIF program of the African Water Facility to submit this funding request which aims to ensure the optimization of all these investments through the delegation of their operation to private companies.