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USAID Commits $3 Million to African Water Facility for Water and Sanitation Projects in Africa

  The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged a substantial $3 million to the African Water Facility (AWF) to bolster water and sanitation investment projects in Africa. This commitment will provide vital grants and technical assistance to African countries and regional economic communities.  

The African Water Facility: Aiming for Sustainable Solutions

Hosted by the African Development Bank and an initiative of the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), the African Water Facility stands as a unique project preparation facility solely dedicated to tackling water and sanitation issues in Africa. Its primary objective is to assist African countries in achieving the water-related Sustainable Development Goals and the African Water Vision 2025. The facility achieves this by preparing innovative water and sanitation projects throughout the continent.  

Water and Sanitation Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face dire challenges in terms of water and sanitation access. Approximately 400 million people lack basic water supply services, while over 700 million people lack access to decent sanitation. Shockingly, nearly 200 million people still resort to open defecation, and a staggering 750 million people lack access to proper hygiene facilities. Addressing these issues necessitates significant investment in water supply and sanitation, improved governance of water resources and operations, and the development of climate-resilient infrastructure.  

AWF's Impact: Funding and Downstream Investment

Since its inception, the African Water Facility has provided €205 million in grant funding for water and sanitation projects in Africa, leading to over €1.7 billion in downstream investments in the sector. The commitment from USAID further solidifies the international support and recognition garnered by the facility as a trusted partner and valuable resource for Africa's water sector.  

USAID's Ambitious Goals

Aligned with its 2022-2027 Strategy, USAID aims to provide access to safe drinking water for 22 million people and sanitation facilities for another 22 million people over the next five years. This substantial commitment reflects USAID's dedication to addressing the pressing water and sanitation challenges across the African continent.  

Funding Dialogue and Future Plans

As the African Water Facility continues its efforts to secure additional funding, it is actively raising millions of euros to develop investments that will accelerate both public and private sector financing in the water sector. Furthermore, the facility seeks to promote innovation to improve service delivery. The support from USAID comes as the facility gears up for its 2023 funding dialogue in Paris, scheduled for October. During this event, the facility will engage with donors, beneficiary governments, multilateral organizations, and international entities to strengthen financing for water and sanitation investment projects in Africa.  

Urgent Solutions: Mobilizing Resources for Water and Sanitation

  "The negative impacts of inadequate access to water and sanitation and poor management of water resources are seen in many countries in Africa. The African Water Facility exists to accelerate viable, climate-responsive investments by providing grants, technical assistance, and developing catalytic and innovative projects to improve water and sanitation service delivery and water governance in Africa," stated Mtchera Chirwa, Coordinator for the African Water Facility.   With its revised Strategic Plan for 2017-2025, the facility aims to mobilize resources to increase the delivery of bankable investment projects in water and sanitation across the continent. This ambitious endeavor is expected to grant access to climate-resilient and safely managed water supply to 2.6 million people, while providing basic sanitation facilities to 2.4 million people. The partnership between USAID and the African Water Facility holds promise for transforming the water and sanitation landscape in Africa, offering hope for millions who have long suffered from inadequate access to these essential resources.   Sources: THX News & African Development Bank Group. Read the full article