N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, is set to become the epicenter of continental dialogue on water management as it hosts the African Water Forum, a high-stakes gathering organized in collaboration with the Chadian government and the World Bank under the Water Forward initiative. Running over two days, the event centers on the theme “From Vision to Action”, bringing together heads of state, finance and water ministers, agricultural and energy leaders, alongside representatives from regional institutions, multilateral development banks, and private sector stakeholders. The discussions will focus on critical issues such as water security, climate resilience, and equitable access to clean drinking water.
Diplomatic heavyweights converge on Chad’s capital
The forum’s high-level attendance underscores its strategic importance. Among the key participants is Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations, who will co-chair the proceedings with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. Beyond high-level negotiations, the event aims to finalize the WASH+ investment roadmap, advance national water governance pacts, and catalyze blended financing from public, private, and mixed sources to accelerate sectoral investments.
400 million Africans face water scarcity
The timing of this forum is no coincidence. The World Bank has sounded the alarm on Africa’s worsening water crisis: over 400 million people lack basic access to clean drinking water, while more than 700 million are without adequate sanitation. Without urgent intervention, water shortages could slash GDP in some African nations by up to 6%, with Sahelian countries facing even steeper economic losses. Conversely, strategic water management is positioned as a catalyst for agricultural growth, energy security, public health improvements, and regional stability.
Chad’s water challenges and international response
For Chad, this summit arrives at a pivotal moment. Earlier this year, the World Bank approved a $160 million (over 92 billion FCFA) funding package to expand potable water access and bolster climate resilience in vulnerable regions—particularly those hosting over 1.3 million Sudanese refugees. “In a context where water scarcity and natural resource pressures fuel community tensions, this initiative will restore access to water and rekindle hope for a sustainable future,” stated Farouk Mollah Banna, World Bank Resident Representative in Chad.
Mobilizing global funds for water infrastructure
The forum aligns with Chad’s broader strategy to attract international financing. Last November in Abu Dhabi, the government unveiled its National Water Development Program, securing over $20 billion in commitments from global partners. Since then, Chadian authorities have intensified negotiations with major donors, including the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union, and the World Food Programme, to fund critical hydraulic infrastructure and enhance climate adaptation efforts.
A continental blueprint for water security
The stakes extend far beyond Chad’s borders. The World Bank intends this forum to serve as the inaugural African milestone for its Water Forward initiative, launched in April 2026. The program seeks to strengthen continental water security by fostering collaboration among governments, technical and financial partners, and the private sector. Beyond basic water and sanitation, the initiative aims to integrate irrigation, energy production, food security, and cross-border water basin cooperation—particularly vital given that nearly 90% of Africa’s water resources span multiple nations.
