The scientific and technological objectives of the NETSSAF Co-ordination Action were:

To evaluate and classify in a multidisciplinary approach a group of existent rural and peri-urban settlements with no access to improved sanitation in West Africa, selecting a set of typical cases. 

To review and discuss different sanitation technologies (conventional and innovative), by using experiences of implementation in West Africa and other developing regions.

To identify suitable sanitation technologies for each typical case, according to the characteristics and needs identified regarding technical, social, economical, environmental, institutional and legal aspects. 

To identify the technical requirements of each technology selected for large-scale implementation, regarding sourcing, logistics, installation, operation and maintenance.

To identify the non-technical requirements of each technology selected for large-scale implementation, regarding human, financial, economical, environmental, legal and institutional aspects.

To identify, map and contact the existent regional suppliers of the technological requirements of each sanitation technology selected, in order to prepare a West African database of Sanitation Supply.

To identify and map the current sanitation implementation activities and their actors in West African, in order to prepare a West African database of potential technology transfer associations and groups, which will participate in a future massive implementation.

To propose and design an Adapted Sustainable Sanitation Management System, to support decision makers and beneficiaries in identifying feasible sanitation alternatives for large-scale implementation by using low-cost technologies adapted to the different physical and socio-economic conditions prevailing in West Africa.