African leaders and development financiers called for a fundamental overhaul of how water and sanitation investments are financed, warning that chronic underinvestment threatens the continent’s economic growth, public health, and climate resilience.
Speaking at a high-level dialogue on financing Africa’s water, sanitation, and hygiene sector held alongside the African Development Bank’s annual meetings in the Republic of Congo, Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission, urged multilateral lenders and private investors to move beyond narrow commercial measures when assessing water projects.
“Water is a strategic economic asset,” Vilakati said. “Sanitation is not only about infrastructure; it is about dignity, public health, human capital, productivity, resilience, and sustainable development.”
The appeal comes as the continent faces a widening financing gap in its efforts to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 on universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030. African leaders estimate the continent requires between $30 billion and $50 billion annually to achieve those targets, while current investment levels remain well below that threshold.
More than 400 million Africans still lack access to basic drinking water services, and nearly 700 million do not have adequate sanitation and hygiene services, according to figures presented at the meeting.
Officials said the investment deficit is undermining economic productivity, worsening health outcomes and limiting Africa’s ability to adapt to climate change.
The discussions brought together senior officials, including United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Executive Secretary Claver Gatete, Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Richard Itoua, African Development Bank executives, and representatives from development finance institutions, including BADEA and Africa50.
The African Union’s push for greater investment follows the designation of 2026 as the AU Theme of the Year: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Vilakati said water investments should be evaluated on broader economic and social returns rather than immediate financial profitability.
“Every dollar invested in water and sanitation strengthens economies, protects ecosystems, creates jobs, empowers women and girls, and safeguards the future of our communities,” he said, urging the African Development Bank and other financiers to reassess how they measure returns on investment in the sector.
The meeting also highlighted concerns over governance, project preparation, and institutional weaknesses that continue to discourage private investment in water infrastructure across Africa.
Officials called for stronger regulatory systems, improved project preparation facilities, and expanded climate-resilient infrastructure to make water investments more attractive to financiers.
The African Union Commission said it is advancing continental initiatives, including the Africa Water Vision and Policy 2063 and the Africa Water Investment Programme, to help member states develop investment-ready and climate-resilient water projects.
Participants said water security must become central to Africa’s development financing strategy if the continent is to industrialize, strengthen food systems, and create jobs for its growing youth population.
“The time for incremental action has passed,” Vilakati said. “The scale of the challenge before us requires bold investment, political courage, innovative financing, and collective continental action.”
