| dc.contributor.author | SODJAHIN, Okombawa Adolphe | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-12-18T10:40:41Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-12-18T10:40:41Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-04-16 | |
| dc.identifier.citation | I, Okombawa Adolphe SODJAHIN, by my signature below, I declare that this dissertation is my work. I have followed all ethical principles of scholarship in the preparation, data collection, data analysis, and completion of this dissertation. I have given all scholarly matter recognition through accurate citations and references. I affirm that I have cited and referenced all sources used in this document. I have made every effort to avoid plagiarism. I submit this document in partial fulfilment of the requirement for a degree from Pan African University. This document is available from the PAU Library to borrowers under the rules of the library. I declare that I have not submitted this document to any other institution for the award of an academic degree, diploma, or certificate. Scholars may use brief quotations from this dissertation without special permission if they make an accurate and complete acknowledgment of the source. The dean of the academic unit may grant permission for extended quotations or reproduction of this document. In all other instances, however, the author must grant permission. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/499 | |
| dc.description | This study focuses on analyzing the effects of NRW on the operational efficiency of
SONEB’s water utility services in Parakou, Benin looking at the technical, financial,
customer and institutional factors affecting the management of non-revenue water. It aims
to analyze the extent of NRW, identify its main causes, and assess its impacts on operational,
financial, and institutional performance, as well as customer satisfaction. To this end, the
study will use a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analysis of operational and
financial data from SONEB's systems and qualitative methods such as household surveys,
questionnaires interviews and focus group discussions with SONEB's senior management,
technical staff and representatives of relevant government agencies. The study will also
provide actionable recommendations for improving the efficiency and sustainability of
SONEB's water utility operations, with a focus on reducing NRW. The time frame for the
study spans historical data up to the present day, emphasizing recent trends and
developments in NRW management. | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | Non-Revenue Water (NRW) critically undermines the technical and financial sustainability
of public water utilities across Africa, yet its specific impact on operational performance
remains understudied. This research addresses this gap by assessing NRW's effects on the
operational efficiency of the Benin Urban Water Company (SONEB) in Parakou and
proposing actionable reduction strategies. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including
household surveys (n=204), staff interviews (n=17), and operational data analysis, the study
quantified NRW levels, evaluated its impact across technical, financial, institutional, and
customer service dimensions, identified root causes, and conducted a SWOT analysis. Key
findings reveal NRW at SONEB Parakou reached 39% in 2024, significantly exceeding the
recommended 25% benchmark. While 96.6% of households reported satisfaction with
supply frequency, 54.1% experienced delayed bill delivery, and 68.1% considered tariffs
too high. Revenue collection averaged only 50.7% from 2020-2024, exacerbating financial
losses. Primary causes include aging infrastructure, lack of network sectorization, excessive
pressure, frequent leaks, billing errors, illegal connections, and the absence of a dedicated
NRW unit. Commercial losses were further driven by pressure fluctuations, inadequate leak
detection, water theft, and meter tampering. SWOT analysis identified strengths (abundant
resources, government support, 94% uninterrupted supply), weaknesses (no NRW unit,
outdated tools, poor coordination), opportunities (smart metering, District Metered Areas
(DMAs), billing improvements), and threats (pipeline damage, illegal connections, climate
change). The study recommends establishing an NRW management unit, adopting digital
tools (GIS, smart meters), enhancing staff capacity, and launching a 24/7 call center. It
concludes by proposing an innovative NRW management model offering scalable solutions
for SONEB and similar African utilities. | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Okombawa Adolphe SODJAHIN | en_US |
| dc.relation.ispartofseries | Water Policy;Cohort 9 | |
| dc.subject | Non-Revenue Water, NRW Management, Water Utility Performance, SONEB, Parakou, Benin | en_US |
| dc.title | EFFECTS OF NON-REVENUE WATER ON THE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF WATER UTILITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN: A CASE STUDY OF SONEB IN PARAKO | en_US |
| dc.type | Master Thesis | en_US |
