N’Djamena hosts pivotal African water summit amid pressing challenges

N’Djamena is poised to become the epicenter of continental dialogue on water security this week, as the capital hosts the African Water Forum. Organized jointly by the Chadian government and the World Bank under the Water Forward initiative, the event brings together heads of state, finance ministers, water and agriculture officials, energy leaders, regional institution representatives, multilateral development banks, and private sector stakeholders. Over two days, participants will tackle critical issues including water scarcity, climate resilience, and universal access to clean drinking water.

At the helm of this high-level gathering are Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations, co-chairing alongside Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. Beyond formal discussions, the forum aims to endorse the WASH+ investment roadmap, advance national water management agreements, and unlock essential public, private, and blended financing to accelerate sector investments.

Water crisis looms large across Africa

With over 400 million Africans lacking basic access to clean water and 700 million without adequate sanitation, the stakes could not be higher. Without urgent action, water shortages could slash economic output by up to 6% in some African nations—and even more in Sahelian countries. Conversely, improved water governance is framed as a catalyst for agricultural growth, energy security, public health, and regional stability.

Chad’s water challenges and regional stakes

The timing of the forum carries particular significance for Chad. Earlier this year, the World Bank approved a $160 million (over 92 billion FCFA) financing package to enhance potable water access and bolster climate resilience in the country’s most vulnerable regions—including areas hosting over 1.3 million Sudanese refugees. As Farouk Mollah Banna, World Bank Resident Representative in Chad, noted, “In a context where water and natural resource pressures fuel community tensions, this initiative will restore access to water and renew hope.”

The summit also aligns with Chad’s broader push to secure international funding. Last November in Abu Dhabi, the government unveiled its national water development program, securing over $20 billion in pledges from global partners. Since then, authorities have intensified negotiations with major donors such as the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), European Union, and the World Food Programme (WFP) to finance hydraulic infrastructure and strengthen the country’s climate adaptation capacity.

A continental blueprint for water security

The forum marks a pivotal moment for Africa’s water agenda. Beyond Chad’s immediate priorities, the World Bank intends this event to serve as the first major African milestone for its Water Forward initiative, launched in April 2026. The initiative seeks to deepen cross-border cooperation, expand water policies beyond basic access and sanitation, and integrate irrigation, energy production, food security, and transboundary basin management into a unified strategy—given that nearly 90% of Africa’s water resources span multiple nations.