The Governing Council of the African Water Facility has adopted a new five-year strategy, marking a major milestone in ongoing efforts to mobilise resources and strengthen water security across the continent.

The decision was made during the Facility’s 25th Governing Council Meeting, held from 5–6 November 2025 in Cairo, Egypt, under the chairmanship of Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hani Sewilam. The Facility is hosted by the African Development Bank Group and operates under the African Ministers’ Council on Water.

A Roadmap for 2026–2030

The African Water Facility 2026–2030 Strategy sets out the institution’s priorities for the next five years, focusing on driving water security and expanding access to safe sanitation across Africa. The strategy reinforces the Facility’s role as a catalyst for vital water and sanitation investments by prioritising:

• Development of investment-ready water and sanitation projects

• Expansion of innovative financing mechanisms

• Stronger resource mobilisation

• Institutional strengthening for greater efficiency

Minister Sewilam described the Facility as “a dynamic and forward-looking institution…indispensable”. He recalled that in May 2024, the Governing Council extended the Facility’s mandate to 2050, introducing a new urban sanitation financing window featuring reimbursable grants, concessional instruments, and guarantees.

“These developments reflect our collective recognition that bold and adaptive approaches are needed to address Africa’s growing water security challenges in a rapidly changing global context,” he said.

Cairo Meeting Outcomes

During the two-day meeting, the Governing Council:

• Approved the 2026 Work Programme and Budget

• Reviewed progress on the 2025 operational portfolio

• Assessed implementation of earlier recommendations

• Considered future financing prospects for the Facility

Prof. Sewilam underscored the Facility’s critical role in advancing the AU’s Africa Water Vision 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, urging development partners to expand their contributions.

Strong Support from Partners

Representatives from member countries and partners—including Austria, Denmark, the Nordic Development Fund, and various regional institutions—commended the Facility’s progress, particularly in:

• Operational efficiency

• Documentation quality

• Rolling out the Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative

The initiative aims to help African governments, utilities, and private-sector actors scale up safe and sustainable urban sanitation systems.

Looking Ahead

Mtchera Chirwa, Director of the Water Development and Sanitation Department at the African Development Bank, praised partners for their continued commitment.

“Your unwavering commitment and enduring partnership have sustained the African Water Facility and driven forward Africa’s vision for water security,” he said. “Guided by the 2026–2030 Strategy, the Facility will reposition itself as a high-performing, innovation-driven institution, strengthening partnerships and diversifying financing sources.”

About the Facility

Established in 2004, the African Water Facility supports African countries, river basin organisations, and regional economic communities in preparing water and sanitation investment projects. To date, it has financed nearly 150 projects in 52 countries, mobilising about €4 billion (approximately $4.6 billion) in downstream investments.

Contact:
Alphonso Van Marsh
Chief Digital Content and Events Officer
African Development Bank
Email: media@afdb.org