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CESA’s involvement in the AWSISA conference underlines the critical role consulting engineers play in bridging innovation with practical infrastructure development 

At the first Africa Water and Sanitation Technical Conference hosted by the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions in South Africa, held at Emperoro’s Palace in Gauteng from 9 November 2025 to 12 November, our CEO Chris Campbell contributed to a key panel discussion focused on the Water Research Commission’s report on innovation and procurement. 

The panel explored how public institutions can strategically manage procurement of new-to-market or new-to-sector solutions, which often require demonstration phases before scaling. 

Representing the consulting engineering perspective, Chris highlighted the partnership opportunities engineers bring in developing and implementing these innovative solutions.  

Key takeaways focused on strategic planning for procurement, such as clearly identifying which service delivery areas need alternative solutions, and ring-fencing innovation projects for careful management and knowledge sharing. The panel recommended specifying desired value outcomes and life cycle costs upfront to support informed decision-making beyond just price considerations. They stressed the importance of understanding the full business model, including implementation and maintenance strategies. 

Finally, the panel advised a multistage procurement process with clear communication about the stages and decision gates, allowing open bidding initially and more selective closed bidding later. This approach ensures transparency and fosters innovation adoption while managing risks effectively. 

CESA’s involvement underlines the critical role consulting engineers play in bridging innovation with practical infrastructure development, supporting AWSISA’s mission to foster sustainable water and sanitation solutions through strategic collaboration.