N’Djamena takes center stage in Africa’s water security push
N’Djamena has been chosen as the host city for the African Water Forum, a high-stakes event co-organized by the Chadian government and the World Bank under the Water Forward initiative. Bringing together heads of state, finance and water ministers, agriculture and energy leaders, alongside regional institutions, development banks, and private sector representatives, the two-day summit will focus on critical issues such as water security, climate resilience, and universal access to clean drinking water.
Diplomatic momentum for sustainable water solutions
Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations, will co-chair the event alongside Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. Beyond high-level discussions, the forum aims to endorse the WASH+ investment roadmap, advance national water management agreements, and secure public, private, and blended financing to accelerate water sector investments.
Water scarcity: a continental emergency
The forum comes at a time when the World Bank warns of a deepening water crisis across Africa. Over 400 million people lack basic access to clean water, while more than 700 million are without proper sanitation. Without urgent action, water scarcity could slash GDP growth by up to 6% in some African nations—and even more in Sahelian countries. Conversely, strategic investments in water management are positioned as a catalyst for agricultural growth, energy security, public health, and regional stability.
Chad’s water crisis: a call for urgent investment
The timing is critical for Chad, where water stress fuels community tensions. Last June, the World Bank approved a $160 million (over 92 billion FCFA) financing package to expand access to clean water and strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable provinces—home to over 1.3 million Sudanese refugees. “In regions where water scarcity deepens social fractures, this project will restore access to water and renew hope for sustainable development,” stated Farouk Mollah Banna, World Bank Resident Representative in Chad.
From pledges to action: mobilizing global support
The forum aligns with Chad’s broader push to secure international funding. In November 2025, the government unveiled its national water development program in Abu Dhabi, securing over $20 billion in commitments from global partners. Since then, authorities have engaged in ongoing talks with major donors, including the World Bank, French Development Agency, European Union, and World Food Programme, to fund hydraulic infrastructure and bolster climate resilience.
A continental vision for water security
The stakes extend far beyond Chad’s borders. The N’Djamena forum marks the first major African milestone for the World Bank’s Water Forward initiative, launched in April 2026. Designed to enhance water security continent-wide, the initiative seeks stronger collaboration between governments, technical and financial partners, and the private sector. It aims to expand water policies beyond drinking water and sanitation, integrating irrigation, energy production, food security, and cross-border cooperation—especially as 90% of Africa’s water resources span multiple countries.