Brazzaville, May 29, 2026 — African nations have been urged to accelerate investments in water and sanitation infrastructure to address growing developmental and climate-related challenges across the continent.
The appeal was made by the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Mr Claver Gatete, during a high-level discussion on financing water projects at the 2026 African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
Gatete noted that inadequate funding for water and sanitation projects continues to hinder Africa’s progress toward sustainable development, economic growth and climate resilience.
According to him, the continent requires more than 50 billion dollars every year to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation for all.
He explained, however, that yearly investment in the sector currently ranges between 12 billion dollars and 15 billion dollars, leaving a significant financing shortfall.
“The issue is not the absence of solutions, but the need for stronger prioritisation, better financing structures and large-scale implementation,” he said.
Gatete disclosed that over 400 million people across Africa still do not have access to safe drinking water, while more than 700 million lack properly managed sanitation services.
He further expressed concern that water-related programmes attract less than three per cent of global climate financing despite the fact that climate change effects are largely linked to water systems.
According to him, the disparity between climate risks and actual investment levels continues to widen.
He described water as essential to sectors such as agriculture, power generation, industrial development, public health and regional integration, warning that poor investment in the sector is becoming a major barrier to economic progress.
Gatete called on African governments to make water infrastructure a key part of national development agendas, budget planning and long-term investment strategies.
He also advocated stronger project preparation frameworks to help develop bankable water infrastructure initiatives capable of attracting investors.
The ECA chief further recommended expanding blended financing models and improving governance mechanisms to encourage greater private sector participation and accountability.
He stressed that future efforts should move beyond discussions and focus on delivering practical outcomes, including funded projects, stronger collaborations and improved access to clean water and sanitation services for millions of Africans.
Gatete also reaffirmed the ECA’s commitment to partnering with the African Development Bank, the African Union Commission and other stakeholders to advance the implementation of Africa Water Vision 2063.