As we look back to our participation at Zambia Water Forum & Exhibition (ZAWAFE) 2026, we are proud to reflect on an impactful week of knowledge sharing, innovation and collaboration within Zambia’s WASH sector.
The event was officially opened by the Vice President of Zambia, Mrs. W.K. Mutale Nalumango, who toured the exhibition booths and engaged with exhibitors, recognizing the innovation and progress being made across the sector.
Under the FSM Action Research Project, CaDev_Catalyst Development participated as an exhibitor, session sponsor and field trip sponsor. This provided a unique opportunity to showcase innovative faecal sludge management solutions and share preliminary findings from the project.
Throughout the exhibition, participants interacted with technologies being tested under the project, including the PuPu Pump, PitVaQ, improved manual emptying tools, transport and transfer solutions designed to improve sanitation service delivery.
A key highlight was our preliminary results sharing session, where team members presented insights from the project:
• Chaiwe Mushauko – Introduction to the preliminary findings
• Evans Mambwe – Emptying and transportation cost evaluation
• Karen Mwengwe – Public health outcomes
• Rodger Chitempa – Time and motion analysis
• Aaron Bangwe – Rental Pay-Per-Use Model
The session demonstrated how evidence generated through the project can support more efficient, sustainable and inclusive sanitation services.
Beyond the conference room, we sponsored and facilitated field visits to Manchinchi Treatment Plant, allowing stakeholders and participants to experience the technologies in action. Participants observed emptying, transfer and transport technologies in real-world conditions and witnessed a live demonstration of the PuPu Pump by Robert Vuik from Practica.
The final field visit brought together pit emptying service providers and graced by the presence of the Zambia Emptiers Association president to learn about the technologies and the Pay-Per-Use Model, highlighting opportunities to improve safety, efficiency and business sustainability within the sanitation sector.
