Chirwa envisions a multifaceted approach, targeting the enhancement of sewerage systems in African cities, extending sanitation services to disconnected areas, and funding initiatives that repurpose waste for use as fertilizer or in biomass-based energy generation.
While rural water projects will continue to receive grant funding, these grants are projected to significantly increase within the next two years. The funding is expected to rise from the current €21 million to an estimated €50 million to €60 million annually. The grants from the African Water Facility effectively mitigate risk for additional investors, enabling each euro invested to leverage up to €29 from other sources.
Since its establishment in 2006, the African Water Facility has actively participated in 133 projects across 52 of Africa’s 54 countries. This engagement has yielded substantial results, with secured funding totaling €205 million. While Libya and Mauritius have yet to benefit from the facility’s support, Chirwa remains optimistic about the future. He emphasizes that the Urban-Sanitation Fund represents not only an investment in infrastructure but also a commitment to the well-being of Africa’s growing population.
By taking the lead in establishing the urban-sanitation fund, the African Water Facility sets a precedent for other regions to emulate. The collaborative effort of combining public and private resources brings Africa closer to bridging the gap in water and sanitation services, fostering a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for its citizens.
The decade-long endeavor of the Urban-Sanitation Fund is expected to gather its funds from the African Development Bank, donors, and private investors, as Chirwa states. The fund’s objectives encompass the enhancement of sewerage systems in African cities, provision of sanitation services to non-connected regions, and support for projects repurposing waste for agricultural use and biomass-based energy production. Rural water projects will continue to benefit from grant funding, with projected annual grants rising to €50 million to €60 million within two years from the current €21 million. Chirwa highlights that each euro invested by the facility can attract up to €29 from other sources, thanks to the risk-reducing effect of the grants. Since its formal inception in 2006, the African Water Facility has been actively engaged in 133 projects spanning 52 out of Africa’s 54 countries, securing funding of €205 million.
August 7, 2023
Delino Gayweh
Serrari Financial Analyst
photo source Google
