Public-private partnership for inclusive sanitation in informal and peri-urban areas of Ouagadougou

21% of the total population of the capital city live in settlements in peri urban areas of Ouagadougou which are illegal and informal and hence, pose a challenge to the traditional way of delivering basic services in urban areas. Around 94% of this population lack access to improved latrines and nearly 19% practice open defecation. As a result, water borne diseases are the main cause of consultations in health centres. To improve access to sanitation, WaterAid has worked with the municipality of Ouagadougou and the water utility, to initiate a project allowing private operators to provide informal settlements with the same services as the formal sectors. The project helped move the household sanitation access rate from 6.1% to 9.4% in 3 years. The learning gathered provides insights into the institutionalization and sustainability of this approach as a means to achieve universal access to sanitation.