N’Djamena hosts landmark water summit to tackle africa’s growing water crisis

N’Djamena steps into the global spotlight as host of pivotal African water forum

Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, is set to transform into the epicenter of water diplomacy this week as it welcomes the African Water Forum. Organized in partnership with the Chadian government and the World Bank under the Water Forward initiative, the two-day event will bring together heads of state, finance and water ministers, agricultural and energy leaders, regional institution representatives, multilateral development banks, and private sector executives. Together, they will tackle pressing issues like water security, climate resilience, and access to clean drinking water.

The forum’s agenda is packed with high-level discussions aimed at translating strategic visions into actionable plans. One of its key objectives is to validate the WASH+ investment roadmap, advance national water management agreements, and secure critical funding from public, private, and blended finance sources to fast-track water sector investments.

Over 400 million africans still lack clean water access

This gathering comes at a critical moment, as the World Bank highlights the urgent water crisis gripping the continent. More than 400 million Africans still lack access to basic drinking water, while 700 million are without proper sanitation. Without substantial investments, water scarcity could slash GDP by up to 6% in some African nations, with Sahelian countries facing even steeper economic losses. Conversely, improved water management is positioned as a catalyst for agricultural growth, energy security, public health, and regional stability.

Chad’s water challenges at the forefront of global discussions

The timing of the forum is particularly significant for Chad. Earlier this year, the World Bank approved a $160 million (over 92 billion FCFA) financing package to expand access to clean water and enhance climate resilience in the country’s most vulnerable regions, including areas hosting over 1.3 million Sudanese refugees. “In a context where water scarcity and natural resource competition are fueling intercommunity tensions, this initiative will restore access to water and rebuild hope for the future,” stated Farouk Mollah Banna, the World Bank’s Resident Representative in Chad.

Chad secures billions in water infrastructure commitments

The forum aligns with Chad’s broader strategy to mobilize international funding. In late 2025, the government presented its national water development program in Abu Dhabi, where over $20 billion in commitments were pledged by global partners. Since then, Chadian authorities have been in active discussions with key donors, including the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), European Union, and World Food Programme (WFP), to finance critical water infrastructure and bolster the country’s resilience against climate change impacts.

A continental push for sustainable water governance

The stakes extend far beyond Chad’s borders. The World Bank’s Water Forward initiative, launched in April 2026, aims to position this forum as the first major African milestone in its mission to strengthen water security across the continent. The initiative seeks to foster greater coordination among governments, technical and financial partners, and the private sector. Its scope goes beyond basic water and sanitation access to include irrigation, energy production, food security, and cross-border water basin cooperation—given that nearly 90% of Africa’s water resources are shared among multiple countries.