WATER GOVERNANCE & FUNDING
FINANCING WATER SECURITY The African Development Bank (AfDB) has an active water sector portfolio of 94 operations worth US$4.3 billion. WASA asks Osward Chanda (OB), director: Water & Sanitation at the AfDB, questions about the financier’s recently approved water strategy – 2021-2025: Towards a Water-Secure Africa – and its role in providing water security for member states.
What role does water security play in inclusive growth and development in Africa? OB The UN’s Water and Sanitation Linkages across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development report highlights the links and interdependencies between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on water and sanitation and other SDGs. It emphasises how water and sanitation support the social, economic and environmental dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Society, the economy and the environment require water in sufficient quantities at a suitable quality. Improvements in access to safe drinking water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in homes, healthcare facilities, schools and workplaces, and improving ambient water quality are essential for reducing multidimensional poverty, improving
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nutrition, improving health and education, achieving gender equality, improving work opportunities, and overcoming inequalities. Furthermore, water is essential in building resilience to climate change. How does the AfDB plan to boost water security on the continent? The AfDB’s five-year strategy aims to increase water security in Africa, and to foster its sustainable, green and inclusive socio-economic growth and development. We are focusing on: • integrated sustainable water resource management • s trengthening the delivery of WASH services • increasing the availability of sustainable water resources for food production and improved nutrition • sustainable development of water for energy in terms of hydropower potential.
Osward Chanda, director: Water & Sanitation at the AfDB
The bank uses both financial and non-financial instruments to assist in achieving water security in Africa and this is achieved through various partnerships. What non-financial instruments does the AfDB use? We scale up and disseminate knowledge and analysis on water and sanitation.
