On March 18, 2025, Brussels will become the focal point for international efforts to address Africa’s pressing water and sanitation challenges, as the African Development Bank Group, the African Water Facility, and the Association of European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI) convene a high-level investment forum.
The event will bring together key stakeholders, including development finance institutions, private investors, and philanthropic bodies, to mobilize funding for critical water and sanitation initiatives across the continent.
The African Development Bank and the African Water Facility plan to showcase a portfolio of investment-ready and pipeline projects during the summit. These projects aim to provide sustainable, climate-resilient water and sanitation solutions that can spur economic development, strengthen public health systems, and promote social stability in Africa.
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Access to safe drinking water
According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization, as of 2020, more than 400 million Africans lack access to safe drinking water, nearly 780 million are without adequate sanitation, and over 800 million do not have access to basic hygiene services. These deficits contribute to the widespread outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, which are responsible for over 400,000 deaths annually across the continent.
In addition to the public health toll, the economic impact of poor sanitation is substantial. Sub-Saharan Africa alone incurs an estimated $5.5 billion in annual losses due to health-related costs and decreased productivity. However, studies indicate that every dollar invested in water and sanitation infrastructure can yield up to seven dollars in economic returns, underlining the strong business case for intervention.
The upcoming event will also serve as a platform to discuss innovative financial models, including public-private partnerships and blended financing mechanisms. These approaches are expected to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
Mtchera Chirwa, Director for Water Development and Sanitation at the African Development Bank, emphasized the strategic importance of investing in water infrastructure. “It’s not just about meeting basic needs—it’s about unlocking economic potential, improving health outcomes, and creating sustainable jobs,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, EDFI CEO David Kuijper stressed the power of collaborative investment. “We believe that through this partnership with the African Development Bank and African Water Facility, we can channel financial and technical resources into projects that offer transformative impact across the continent,” he stated.
