There is abundant evidence of the benefits ––which include the ability to make use of by-products such as water, nutrients, biosolids and energy–– of integrating circular economy principles into drinking water supply and wastewater treatment systems. However, despite the environmental and social returns that it affords, this approach is not recognized as a profitable option for sanitation utilities. The study also highlights the importance of building water and sanitation utilities' technical, operational, policy-based and forward-planning capacities. The present challenge is therefore to devise ways of enhancing the sector's institutional capacities, not only for the application of circular economy principles in water management in the region but also for meeting the challenges associated with the current innovations being driven by artificial intelligence and big data solutions. Doing so will make it possible to leverage activities and projects that will make a direct contribution to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6.