Posted Date : 10 Apr 2024
Water security and sanitation are central to the three dimensions of sustainable development: society, economy and environment.
Lack of adequate water infrastructure in Africa limits access to water for human survival and well-being, constrains livelihoods and undermines overall socio-economic development. Yet, attaining the required infrastructure calls for significant investments, far greater than current financing levels.
Massive investments in integrated water development and management are central to sustainable water, food and energy security for green and inclusive growth.
Within the African Development Bank’s “High 5s”, water security underpins food security (agriculture represents 70% of total water consumption), energy security (high dependence on hydropower, and water is an input for other sources of energy), industrialization (water as a key input and catalyst), regional integration (through transboundary waters) and particularly improving the quality of life for the people of Africa (impact on health, nutrition, education, gender equity and livelihoods).
With an increasing recognition of the private sector as an engine for economic growth and poverty reduction by African governments, AfDB, through its Water & Sanitation Department is working to identify or generate non-sovereign operations and public private partnerships across the continent. This includes reaching out to private investors/sponsors and professional associations for new business development opportunities with potential to promote social and economic development, create jobs and improve the quality of life.
Prominent amongst water and sanitation operations is: Rwanda - Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project
Source : https://www.afdb.org/en/water-and-sanitation
