Elevate Bridge Builders has launched the inaugural Middle East, Africa Cleaning, Sanitation, and Hygiene Awards 2025 to recognise excellence and innovation in sanitation across the two continents.
The initiative aims to honor individuals and organisations making significant contributions to improving health and environmental standards in Africa and the Middle East.
Sandra Nabakka, the Executive Director of Elevate Bridge Builders, emphasised the awards’ role in promoting hygiene by acknowledging key stakeholders dedicated to cleanliness and proper sanitation practices.
“Part of the objective of this award is to connect with innovators in the field of hygiene, such as soap and detergent manufacturers, both at local and regional levels, who are excelling in hygiene, sanitation, and cleaning,” Nabakka stated.
She highlighted that the awards would not only recognise excellence but also create opportunities for exposure on a global stage.
“This is intended to promote and build brand names by exposing them to the international community, enabling them to break market barriers and command a bigger market share beyond their local communities,” she added.
Africa and the Middle East are regions of immense innovation, largely driven by young and middle-aged populations, particularly women and girls. However, much of their work remains undocumented or unrecognised at regional and international levels.
“The award finalists will have a chance for a one-on-one session with leading industry players during the awarding ceremony slated for August 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,” Nabakka said.
To ensure broad representation, the awards will feature various categories recognising efforts in different aspects of sanitation.
“They include those involved in community and public health, corporate and institutional excellence, government and policy leadership, schools and educational institutions, technology and innovation, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) advocacy, as well as individual and leadership excellence,” she noted.
Hygiene remains a fundamental component of social and health welfare, especially in both urban and rural settings across Africa and the Middle East. The urgency of addressing sanitation challenges is underscored by recent health crises.
Namibia recently reported its first cholera case in a decade, affecting a 55-year-old woman in the Kunene region. Though she has recovered, the case raised alarms among health officials, particularly as neighbouring Angola has been battling a cholera outbreak that has claimed 237 lives from 6,564 cases since January.
Cholera outbreaks have been on the rise globally, exacerbated by conflicts and climate change. In 2024 alone, there were 804,721 reported cases and 5,805 deaths, a significant increase from the previous year.
Countries such as Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Angola, and Ghana have faced severe outbreaks, leading to a depleted global cholera vaccine stockpile.
Access to safe water and sanitation remains a pressing issue in Africa. According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), only 31% of Africa’s population had access to safely managed sanitation in 2022, while just 28% had access to basic hygiene services.
To achieve universal coverage by 2030, progress must increase significantly—23 times faster for safely managed sanitation, 13 times faster for basic sanitation, and three times faster for eliminating open defecation.
Poor sanitation has substantial economic costs. A World Bank report revealed that 18 African countries lose about $5.5 billion annually due to inadequate sanitation, with economic losses ranging from 1% to 2.5% of GDP.
These losses stem from premature deaths, productivity declines, and time lost due to unsafe sanitation practices.
Innovative solutions are crucial in addressing these challenges. One notable example is the Sato pan, an affordable plastic toilet with a counterweighted trapdoor that improves hygiene. Since its introduction in Bangladesh in 2012, the Sato pan has enhanced sanitation for over 68 million people across 45 countries.
The Middle East and Africa Cleaning, Sanitation, and Hygiene Awards 2025 by Elevate Bridge Builders mark a significant step toward recognising and promoting sanitation excellence.
By celebrating those committed to improving hygiene standards, these awards aim to inspire further advancements and tackle pressing sanitation challenges across the two regions.