Africa is taking bold new steps to secure its water future. In a major move that could reshape the continent’s approach to water and sanitation, the Governing Council of the African Water Facility (AWF) has adopted a fresh five-year strategy designed to accelerate water security and attract greater investment across Africa.
The milestone decision came during the Facility’s 25th Governing Council Meeting, held on 5–6 November 2025 in Cairo, Egypt. The meeting, chaired by Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hani Sewilam, marked a turning point for the organization, which operates under the African Development Bank Group and the African Ministers’ Council on Water.
A new roadmap for transformation
Spanning 2026 to 2030, the AWF’s new strategy lays out clear priorities to expand access to safe water and sanitation services for all Africans. It strengthens the Facility’s position as a driver of innovation, project preparation, and resource mobilization in the water sector. By focusing on creating bankable, investment-ready projects, the strategy hopes to unlock large-scale funding and catalyze sustainable development across the continent.
“[The African Water Facility] is not just important – it’s indispensable,” Dr. Sewilam declared at the meeting. He reminded participants that in May 2024, the Council extended the Facility’s mission to 2050 and broadened its operations to include a new urban sanitation financing window. This extension introduces reimbursable grants, concessional loans, and financial guarantees, signaling a shift toward more diverse and sustainable funding mechanisms.
Adaptive strategies for a changing world
According to Dr. Sewilam, these changes recognize the urgent need for bold, flexible solutions to Africa’s evolving water challenges. Climate instability, population growth, and urbanization are straining resources, making innovation not just desirable but essential. The new strategy outlines plans to strengthen institutional capacity and efficiency, ensuring that every project delivers measurable impact.
During the Cairo meeting, the Governing Council approved the AWF’s 2026 Work Programme and Budget, reviewed advances made in 2025, and explored emerging financing opportunities. The Council also evaluated progress on earlier recommendations—continuing to refine how the Facility delivers value.
Linking local progress to global goals
Professor Sewilam emphasized that the AWF plays an essential role in advancing both the African Union’s Africa Water Vision 2063 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. He urged development partners to increase their contributions so the Facility can reach more communities, prepare additional projects, and draw more investors into Africa’s water future. But here’s where it gets interesting: can Africa’s ambitious water vision succeed without deeper private sector engagement and faster policy reforms?
Representatives from donor governments—including Austria and Denmark—as well as regional partners like the Nordic Development Fund, praised the Facility’s accomplishments. They noted growing efficiency, better documentation, and the steady rollout of the Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative, which helps governments and utilities expand sustainable sanitation systems in cities.
Mtchera Chirwa, Director of the Water Development and Sanitation Department at the African Development Bank, expressed appreciation for the unwavering commitment of member countries and partners. “Your steadfast support has kept the African Water Facility thriving and moving Africa closer to water security and sustainable growth,” he said. Chirwa added that the Facility, guided by its 2026–2030 plan, aims to reinforce partnerships, deepen private sector collaboration, and diversify funding streams to boost resilience and performance.
A legacy built over two decades
Since its founding in 2004, the African Water Facility has financed close to 150 projects across 52 countries, mobilizing nearly €4 billion (around $4.6 billion) in downstream investments. Its mission has remained consistent: helping African nations, river basin organizations, and regional communities turn water and sanitation concepts into bankable, impactful projects.
And this is the part most people miss: beyond the statistics and strategies lies a broader question—can Africa transform its vast water challenges into an engine of inclusive, sustainable growth? Share your thoughts: does this new strategy go far enough, or does the continent need a complete rethink of its approach to water governance and investment?
