N’Djamena to host pan-african water forum in 2026

The capital of Chad, N’Djamena, will serve as the host city for the highly anticipated African Water Forum in July 2026. Mark your calendars for July 15 and 16, when global and regional water leaders will converge to address the continent’s most pressing water-related challenges and opportunities.

a strategic platform for water security in africa

The upcoming forum, themed “From Vision to Action,” has been announced by Chad’s Minister of Finance, Budget, Economy, Planning, and International Cooperation. During a press briefing, the minister emphasized the nation’s pivotal role in the continent’s water landscape, highlighting Chad’s vast hydrological network that includes the iconic Lake Chad, major rivers like the Chari and Logone, and shared basins such as the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer and transboundary systems nourishing neighboring countries.

The announcement comes at a critical time for the Sahel region, where climate pressures, rapid population growth, and aging infrastructure are intensifying water scarcity. The minister underscored Chad’s commitment to positioning itself as a central player in shaping Africa’s water future: “Water is not just a natural resource—it is the foundation of development, peace, and resilience. Our nation is determined to lead by example.”

priorities and partnerships for sustainable water management

The government’s agenda includes expanding access to clean drinking water and sanitation for all, including marginalized communities, strengthening irrigation systems to safeguard food security, and ensuring the sustainable management of shared water resources across the Lake Chad Basin and Nubian Sandstone Aquifer.

Collaboration with international partners, especially the World Bank, remains a cornerstone of this vision. A new joint initiative is in development to align with Chad’s long-term water sector strategy, inspired by the country’s national development plan and the Water Forward principles: water for people, for food, and for the planet. These principles reflect the government’s dedication to integrating water security into every facet of national growth.

The minister also outlined the forum’s expected outcomes, including the adoption of National Water Compacts by participating countries. These agreements aim to formalize commitments and establish accountability mechanisms to ensure tangible progress in water governance and infrastructure across Africa.

As host nation, Chad is poised to play a dual role—not only as a facilitator of dialogue but as a proactive advocate for transformative change in the continent’s water sector.