Dr. Joy Nyawira Riungu wins the Inaugural African Women in Water Award 2026

We are delighted to share that Dr. Joy Nyawira Riungu have been selected as a Winner of the Inaugural African Women in Water Awards 2026.

The Awards received a strong response from all over the world, with over 48 countries in Africa participating and 250 nominations submitted across multiple categories in just 3 weeks! All nominations were assessed by an independent WASH sector elite leaders’ jury against agreed criteria, including leadership, impact, innovation, institutional contribution, and legacy within Africa’s water and sanitation sector.

On behalf of the Global Sanitation Graduate School, we warmly congratulate Dr. Riungu and Meru University of Science and Technology, our trusty partner, on this achievement and on the leadership and work she continues to demonstrate in shaping Africa’s water future. Dr. Riungu was formally recognised during the African Women in Water Awards Gala, held as part of the AfWASA Congress 2026 in Yaounde, Cameroon.