Chad steps into the global spotlight with high-stakes water forum
Chad is preparing to host the African Water Forum, a landmark event co-organized by the Chadian government and the World Bank under the Water Forward initiative. The two-day summit, held under the banner « From Vision to Action », will bring together heads of state, finance and water ministers, agricultural and energy leaders, regional institution representatives, multilateral development bank executives, and private sector stakeholders. Together, they will tackle pressing issues of water security, climate resilience, and access to clean drinking water across the continent.
Diplomatic momentum to drive water investments
N’Djamena will see high-level participation, including World Bank Managing Director Anna Bjerde, who will co-chair the event with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. Beyond political dialogue, the forum aims to finalize the WASH+ investment roadmap, advance national water governance agreements, and catalyze public, private, and blended financing to accelerate water infrastructure development.
A continent in water distress
Recent data from the World Bank underscores an alarming reality: over 400 million Africans still lack access to basic drinking water, while more than 700 million people remain without proper sanitation. Without urgent investment, water scarcity could slash GDP by up to 6% in some African nations—and even more in Sahel countries. Conversely, improved water management is framed as a growth lever for agriculture, energy security, public health, and regional stability.
Chad’s water challenges and recovery efforts
The forum comes at a critical moment for Chad. Earlier this year, the World Bank approved a $160 million (over 92 billion FCFA) grant to expand access to safe water and bolster climate resilience in the country’s most vulnerable regions—home to over 1.3 million Sudanese refugees. « In a context where water scarcity and natural resource competition fuel community tensions, this initiative will restore access to water and rebuild hope for the future, » stated Farouk Mollah Banna, World Bank Resident Representative in Chad.
Mobilizing global support for water infrastructure
This summit is part of a broader push to secure international funding. In late 2025, Chad presented its national water development program in Abu Dhabi, securing over $20 billion in commitments from international partners. Since then, government officials have intensified negotiations with major donors including the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), European Union, and World Food Programme (WFP), focusing on financing hydraulic infrastructures and climate adaptation measures.
Water Forward: a continental blueprint for change
The stakes extend far beyond Chad’s borders. The African Water Forum marks the first major milestone for the World Bank’s Water Forward initiative, launched in April 2026. Designed to enhance water security continent-wide, the initiative promotes stronger collaboration between governments, technical and financial partners, and the private sector. Its scope goes beyond drinking water and sanitation—encompassing irrigation, energy production, food security, and cooperation over transboundary river basins. With nearly 90% of Africa’s water resources shared across multiple countries, coordinated action has never been more urgent.
