N’Djamena hosts global water summit with high stakes for africa

N’Djamena is taking center stage on the African water agenda as the host city of the African Water Forum, a landmark event co-organized by the Chadian government and the World Bank under the Water Forward initiative. Over two days, the summit will convene heads of state, finance ministers, water and agriculture officials, energy leaders, regional institution representatives, multilateral development bank executives, and private sector stakeholders. Together, they will tackle critical issues surrounding water security, climate resilience, and universal access to clean drinking water under the theme “From Vision to Action.”

At the helm of this high-level gathering is Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations, who will co-chair the proceedings alongside President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno of Chad. Beyond diplomatic discussions, the forum aims to finalize the WASH+ Investment Roadmap, advance national water governance pacts, and unlock public, private, and blended financing to fast-track water sector investments across the continent.

400 million africans still lack basic water access

The timing of the event could not be more urgent. The World Bank warns that over 400 million Africans still lack reliable access to clean water, while more than 700 million have no basic sanitation services. Without substantial investments, water scarcity risks slashing GDP growth by up to 6% in some African nations—with Sahelian countries facing even steeper losses. Conversely, strategic water management is positioned as a catalyst for agricultural growth, energy security, public health, and regional stability.

For Chad, hosting this forum arrives at a pivotal moment. Earlier this year, the World Bank approved a $160 million (over 92 billion FCFA) funding package to expand potable water access and bolster climate resilience in the country’s most vulnerable regions—home to over 1.3 million Sudanese refugees. “In a context where water and natural resource pressures fuel community tensions, this initiative will restore access to water and rekindle hope for the future,” noted Farouk Mollah Banna, World Bank Resident Representative in Chad.

Chad secures $20 billion in water development pledges

The forum aligns with Chad’s broader strategy to mobilize international financing. In late 2025, Chadian authorities presented their national water development program in Abu Dhabi, securing over $20 billion in commitments from global partners. Since then, the government has engaged in ongoing negotiations with major donors, including the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement, the European Union, and the World Food Programme, to fund critical water infrastructure and enhance the country’s climate resilience.

A continental call to action

While Chad’s challenges are pressing, the stakes extend far beyond its borders. The World Bank intends for this forum to mark the first major African milestone of its Water Forward initiative, launched in April 2026. The initiative seeks to strengthen water security continent-wide by fostering better coordination among governments, technical and financial partners, and the private sector. Its scope goes beyond drinking water and sanitation to encompass irrigation, energy production, food security, and cross-border water cooperation—vital considering that nearly 90% of Africa’s water resources are shared across multiple countries.