The African Development Bank (AfDB) has committed over $8 billion to water infrastructure projects across 40 African countries since 2000, benefiting more than 92 million people. This announcement was made by Johannes Chirwa, Director of the AfDB’s Water Development and Sanitation Department, during the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) West Africa sub-regional meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday. Emily Kilongi, the bank’s Principal Water and Sanitation Engineer, represented Chirwa at the event.
Chirwa emphasised the importance of the meeting as a platform to review progress, address challenges, and shape future strategies for water management in Africa. He noted that AfDB’s ongoing commitment to addressing water issues is underscored by significant investments and policy dialogues, including events such as African Water Week and AfricaSan. The bank is also involved in developing a post-2025 Africa Water Vision, ensuring that future water policies are well-informed and impactful.
Furthermore, Chirwa highlighted AfDB’s support for water governance initiatives, such as the Pan-African Water Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO), and the bank’s upcoming 2026-2030 Action Plan, which aims to address emerging water-related challenges.
Dr. Jihane El Gaouzi, representing the African Union Commission (AUC), praised the awareness raised by the Africa Water Vision 2025 on water and sanitation issues. She acknowledged the progress made through initiatives like the UN Water Conference 2023 and the Africa Water Investment Programme. El Gaouzi emphasised the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping the post-2025 Africa Water Vision, focusing on poverty reduction, economic growth, regional cooperation, and environmental sustainability.
Looking ahead, El Gaouzi outlined significant events such as the Africa Water Summit in South Africa in August 2025 and the UN Water Conference in 2026, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal. These events are expected to drive Africa’s water security agenda forward. Additionally, water and sanitation will be the African Union’s official theme for 2026 under its Agenda 2063, with a focus on developing a climate-resilient, inclusive water security framework.
El Gaouzi reiterated the need for a robust continental governance framework to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water, describing water access as a fundamental human right. She called for greater collaboration among governments, the private sector, and regional organisations to achieve these goals and reaffirmed the AUC’s commitment to the post-2025 water vision.
