The African Development Bank (AfDB), yesterday, disclosed commitments of over $8 billion in water and sanitation projects across countries on the continent over the past decade.

The move, according to the lender, was to significantly improve access to clean water and sanitation for over 92 million people. This is as the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, reaffirmed his commitment to collaborate with the bank and other partners to drive sustainable water and sanitation solutions.

Speaking at the official opening of a three-day West Africa Sub-Regional Consultation Workshop on the Post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy in Abuja, AfDB’s Principal Water and Sanitation Engineer, Emily Kilongi representing Director of the Water Development and Sanitation Department, Mtchera Johannes Chirwa, reaffirmed the financial institution’s commitment to financing critical water infrastructure.

The workshop, which brought together ministers, development partners, private sector representatives, and civil society organisations, aims to shape the next phase of Africa’s water policy and ensure greater investment in the sector.

Chirwa stated that the bank currently maintains an active portfolio worth $6 billion, spread across 121 projects on the continent. He said the AfDB has been a key player in shaping Africa’s water policies, supporting initiatives such as the African Water Facility, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI), and the Multi-Donor Water Partnership Programme (MDWPP).

“As we develop the successor to the Africa Water Vision 2025, AfDB is providing technical expertise and financial resources to ensure a robust post-2025 framework,” he said.