Mission Report from Djibouti: Supporting ONEAD’s Transformation
Mission Report from Djibouti: Supporting ONEAD’s Transformation to Operationalize its “ONEAD 2035” Vision!
Since 2020, with funding from AFD and the European Union, Espelia and Artelia have been supporting ONEAD in implementing its strategic plan “ONEAD 2035,” which aims to make the Office a leading public water utility in Africa !
To operationalize the ambitious improvement goals it has set, ONEAD has designed and signed, with Espelia’s support, an ambitious and innovative contract : an Operator Support Contract (AEX), launched in October 2025, which reflects the commitments made by ONEAD in the Objectives and Performance Contract (COP) binding it to the State (the first of its kind, as provided by the public enterprises reform). Following a competitive dialogue process, the consortium “Seureca/Veolia/OIEau/Insuco” was selected as the AEX to support ONEAD in improving its performance. Scheduled for a duration of five years, this contract provides, after a first year of diagnosis and lump-sum adjustments, for performance-based remuneration according to the achievement of 7 performance criteria (technical, financial, social, and environmental).
Espelia continues its support to ONEAD by now serving as an auditor for these contracts, as fulfilling the commitments of all parties at every level is a key factor in the envisioned transformation.
Thomas Le Jeune, Director of the International Environment Division and institutional “water and sanitation” expert at Espelia, was in Djibouti in June to (i) support the establishment of the Objectives and Performance Contract supervision committee, and (ii) work hand-in-hand with ONEAD to develop contract monitoring tools and assess the fulfillment of the stakeholders’ commitments under the COP. Espelia is honored by the trust placed in it by ONEAD, AFD, and the EU to play this trusted third-party role and lay the foundations for robust regulation, which is essential for the success of the anticipated transformations.
See you in Djibouti in September for the next steps!
Espelia supports local authorities, public stakeholders and their partners in the design, management and transformation of local public policies. A consulting firm committed to serving the public interest, Espelia mobilises strategic, legal, financial and operational expertise to help territories build sustainable and resilient solutions.
