ACEWM Hosts International ALL4WASH Summer School (2026) on Artificial Intelligence in Water Management
The Africa Centre of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM) at Addis Ababa University (AAU) is pleased to host the ALL4WASH International Summer School (2026) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Water Management, a flagship capacity-building program under the North–South Alliance for Inclusive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (ALL4WASH) initiative. The five-day summer school brings together graduate students, early-career researchers, and academics from Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Norway, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda creating a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and international collaboration in the application of Artificial Intelligence to water management.
Hosted by ACEWM, the Summer School is designed to strengthen participants’ capacity to harness AI and data-driven technologies for addressing emerging water sector challenges. Through a combination of expert lectures, interactive discussions, practical demonstrations, and hands-on sessions using Python and real-world datasets, participants are introduced to cutting-edge approaches in digital water management. The training covers smart water systems, machine learning for leak detection and infrastructure condition assessment, AI-enabled water quality monitoring, predictive analytics, time-series forecasting, water treatment optimization, and decision-support systems tailored to the realities of low- and middle-income countries.
The Summer School is facilitated by an international team of experts comprising Prof. Feleke Zewge, Director of ACEWM and National Coordinator of the ALL4WASH Project; Prof. Razak Seidu of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway, an internationally recognized scholar in AI applications for water and sanitation systems; and Dr. Peihua Han, whose expertise in machine learning and data analytics provides participants with intensive practical training in developing AI models for water sector applications. Together, the instructors combine international research experience with practical insights into addressing water challenges in diverse African contexts.
One of the major highlights of the program is a full-day technical field visit to the Legedadi Groundwater Supply Well Field, one of Addis Ababa’s most important drinking water sources. During the visit, participants will observe the operation of the SCADA control system, interact with engineers from the Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority (AAWSA), and work in multidisciplinary teams to develop AI-based early warning systems for groundwater quality protection using real hydrochemical datasets. This unique field-based learning experience bridges theory with practice while demonstrating the transformative potential of AI in safeguarding critical water infrastructure.
The Summer School culminates in participant project presentations, peer learning, and action planning sessions, enabling participants to demonstrate how AI can be applied to solve real-world water management problems in their respective countries and institutions. Upon successful completion, participants receive certificates recognizing their achievement and commitment to advancing digital innovation in the water sector.
The Summer School reflects ACEWM’s commitment to developing the next generation of African water professionals equipped with advanced digital skills, fostering international academic collaboration, and accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies for sustainable water resources management.
Through this international initiative, ACEWM continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for excellence in water education, research, innovation, and professional capacity development, while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through digital transformation and evidence-based water governance.