AfDB invests $8bn in water infrastructure across Africa
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has invested over $8 billion in water infrastructure projects across 40 African nations since the year 2000, directly benefiting more than 92 million people.
This was revealed by Mr Johannes Chirwa, Director of the Water Development and Sanitation Department at AfDB, during the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) West Africa sub-regional meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Chirwa, who was represented by Emily Kilongi, Principal Water and Sanitation Engineer at AfDB, described the meeting as a crucial opportunity to assess progress, address obstacles, and shape future strategies for water management in Africa.
“Since 2000, the AfDB has invested over $8 billion in water infrastructure across 40 African countries, positively impacting over 92 million people,” Chirwa stated.
He further elaborated on the bank’s ongoing efforts in policy development, particularly through platforms such as African Water Week and AfricaSan.
Looking ahead, the AfDB is actively contributing to the formulation of a post-2025 Africa Water Vision, ensuring it provides a comprehensive and effective strategy for the continent’s water needs.
Chirwa reiterated the bank’s dedication to strengthening water governance, citing initiatives like the Pan-African Water Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO).
He also noted that both the upcoming Africa Water Vision and Policy and the AfDB’s 2026-2030 Action Plan would play pivotal roles in tackling emerging challenges within the sector.
Dr Jihane El Gaouzi, representing the African Union Commission (AUC), commended the Africa Water Vision 2025 for its role in raising awareness of water and sanitation issues.
“Africa continues to face major hurdles in ensuring fair and sustainable water management, despite significant progress made through initiatives such as the UN Water Conference 2023 and the Africa Water Investment Programme,” she stated.
She highlighted key forthcoming events aimed at advancing Africa’s water security agenda, including the Africa Water Summit in August 2025 in South Africa and the UN Water Conference in 2026, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal.
El Gaouzi also confirmed that water and sanitation have been selected as the African Union’s official theme for 2026 under Agenda 2063.
She quoted a resolution from the 5th Specialised Technical Committee and the 44th Executive Council of the AU, which urged the AUC to develop a climate-resilient, inclusive framework for water security.
According to El Gaouzi, Africa urgently requires a continent-wide governance structure to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water. She emphasised that water is a fundamental right and called for greater cooperation between governments, the private sector, and regional organisations.
She reaffirmed the AUC’s commitment to supporting Africa’s post-2025 water vision through strategic planning and policy-driven investments.
Established in 2002, the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) promotes collaboration, security, economic progress, and poverty reduction through effective water resource management and service delivery.
In 2008, during the 11th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, African Heads of State and Government committed to fast-tracking water and sanitation objectives across the continent.
AMCOW was entrusted with the responsibility of developing and overseeing an implementation strategy to fulfil these commitments.
