Conclusions: The Quintessence of W+S Sector Reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Reforms have changed the sector in all four target countries and brought many benefits. However, there is an unstable equilibrium with a permanent risk that achievements are undone with a stroke. The sector is still receiving insufficient attention and there are too many unqualified players being able to act uncontrolled. The buy-in by politicians especially for a new sector orientation is insufficient what prevents institutions from using sector potentials and compromises reform implementation. An ill-designed institutional framework will haunt the sector for decades. Informality and uninformed self-proclaimed representatives prevent the poor from gaining adequate access. Limited professionalism and weak leadership restricts sector credibility. Regulation fosters sector resilience but faces limits. Considering recent developments, it seems that sanitation development will remain neglected. There is also much room to improve the partnership between receiving countries and international support (donors, NGOs, etc.). The contributions fall short because the complexity of the sector and its specific features are not understood or ignored by the bankers and development banks are not concerned enough about their role in promoting sustainable development. The good news is that the Burkina Faso case indicates that even the poorest countries can be best performers.