Côte d’Ivoire is set to receive a sum of US $164M from the Deutsche Bank to support national “Eau pour Tous” (Water for All) initiative, which aims to significantly improve access to safe drinking water throughout the country.
Structured as an export credit facility, the funding will allow the government to move forward with critical water infrastructure projects. These developments will be led by the Mitrelli Group, a firm with experience in implementing large-scale public service projects in emerging markets.
A portion of the financing is backed by Atradius Dutch State Business N.V., the export credit agency of the Netherlands. This guarantee helps mitigate financial risks and ensures the feasibility of delivering key infrastructure in developing regions. The involvement of Atradius underscores the importance of international collaboration in advancing public health and sustainability goals.
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Water for All programme
Originally launched in 2017, the Water for All programme targets increasing clean water access to 97% of the Ivorian population by 2025. The first phase, enabled by the Deutsche Bank facility, will focus on building 95 urban hydraulic systems. These systems will include water towers and extended distribution networks designed to bring potable water closer to rural and underserved communities.
This initiative is expected to generate wide-reaching social and economic benefits. It aims to reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases and ease the burden on women and children, who often spend significant time collecting water. Additionally, the project is set to enhance community wellbeing, improve living conditions, and strengthen resilience by ensuring a more reliable and accessible water supply.
According to Alarik d’Ornhjelm, Head of Structured Trade & Export Finance for Middle East and Africa at Deutsche Bank, this effort exemplifies how the bank supports transformative infrastructure projects. By expanding access to clean water, the initiative contributes not only to healthier communities but also to long-term economic progress in Côte d’Ivoire.
