Abuja: With preparations underway for its 2026-2030 Strategic Action Plan, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is exploring more effective ways to leverage its position to attract increased climate-related financing. The bank aims to support the water and sanitation sector, aligning future priorities with large-scale, impact-driven projects to accelerate Africa's agenda in this area.
According to South African Government News Agency, Mtchera Chirwa, Director of the Department of Water and Sanitation at AfDB, highlighted the bank's initiatives during the closing session of the Africa Union - Africa Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Water Investment Summit 2025. Chirwa announced that out of 80 operations showcased at the summit, 27 align with the bank's priorities, representing a financing envelope of USD 2.8 billion.
Chirwa emphasized the potential for further investment opportunities, noting that the projects discussed at the summit are a fraction of what is available in the market. The bank is committed to prioritizing multipurpose, integrated projects through the Water-Energy-Food security-Ecosystem special initiative. This initiative, recently discussed in Dakar, aims to invest another USD 1.2 billion by 2027 and significantly more by 2030.
Between 2021 and 2030, the AfDB has committed to investing an estimated USD 12 billion specifically in the water sector. Additionally, the bank plans to quadruple its climate financing to reach USD 25 billion by 2025, with the water sector as a key priority.
In the area of sanitation, the AfDB is working with partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to catalyze EUR 6.7 billion in urban sanitation investments through the Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII). Chirwa reiterated the bank's focus on supporting water and sanitation service providers, emphasizing the importance of competent and viable operators for sustainable infrastructure delivery.
Chirwa also called on governments to support stronger replenishment of the African Water Facility (AWF) Trust Fund, highlighting that contributions from regional member countries could attract greater interest from traditional donors.