The African Development Bank (AfDB) has invested over $8 billion in water infrastructure across 40 African countries since 2000, improving access for more than 92 million people.
Johannes Chirwa, Director of AfDB’s Water Development and Sanitation Department, made the announcement at the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) West Africa sub-regional meeting in Abuja. Represented by Emily Kilongi, AfDB’s Principal Water and Sanitation Engineer, Chirwa described the gathering as a crucial platform to assess progress and shape future strategies for water management.
The AfDB has also been driving policy discussions through platforms such as African Water Week and AfricaSan. Chirwa emphasized the bank’s role in developing a post-2025 Africa Water Vision, aiming to create a comprehensive and impactful water security strategy.
The bank is strengthening governance initiatives, including the Pan-African Water Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO), and is set to introduce an Africa Water Vision and Policy alongside its 2026-2030 Action Plan to tackle emerging water challenges.
Dr. Jihane El Gaouzi, representing the African Union Commission (AUC), acknowledged Africa Water Vision 2025’s role in raising awareness about water and sanitation issues but noted that Africa still faces significant challenges in achieving sustainable water management. She stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping the post-2025 water vision, which will focus on poverty reduction, economic growth, regional cooperation, and environmental sustainability.
Key upcoming events include the Africa Water Summit in South Africa in August 2025 and the UN Water Conference in 2026, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, both aimed at advancing Africa’s water security agenda.
Water and sanitation have been designated as the African Union’s official theme for 2026 under Agenda 2063. El Gaouzi highlighted the AU’s push for a climate-resilient, inclusive water security framework and called for stronger collaboration among governments, private sector stakeholders, and regional organizations.
Founded in 2002, AMCOW has played a central role in fostering regional cooperation on water resource management. The organization was tasked with implementing commitments made during the 11th AU Assembly in 2008, where leaders pledged to accelerate water and sanitation goals.
