The World Bank has warned that Africa is losing an estimated $200 billion in annual economic gains due to poor sanitation, a shortfall that could be reversed through urgent investment in water and sanitation systems.
In a report released on Tuesday titled “The Global Sanitation Crisis: Pathways for Urgent Action”, the Bank said nearly two out of five people worldwide still lack access to safe sanitation, with the burden heaviest in low- and middle-income countries. It projected that Africa’s gross domestic product could grow by up to five percent if adequate resources were directed into sanitation infrastructure.
“Investment in water supply and sanitation yields significant returns,” the report stated. “Every US$1 spent in Africa returns US$7 – adequate funding in the sector could boost the GDP by 5 per cent, resulting in an annual economic gain of US$200 billion in Africa alone.”
The study linked poor sanitation to disease outbreaks, reduced productivity, and environmental degradation. It highlighted preventable illnesses such as cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid that claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year, particularly among children under five.
The World Health Organisation has previously noted that weak sanitation systems also keep children out of school and reduce adults’ capacity to work.
According to the report, Africa’s sanitation challenges are compounded by rapid urbanisation, widespread poverty, and weak infrastructure, especially in informal settlements.
The Bank stressed that climate-related threats such as flooding, drought, and rising sea levels are placing increasing strain on fragile sanitation systems, leading to further GDP losses.
“In low- and middle-income countries, one third of urban residents face a ‘triple burden’ of inadequate sanitation, poverty, and climate risks—leaving them especially vulnerable to disease, water scarcity, disasters, and economic hardship,” the report warned.
It also linked improved sanitation to education and gender outcomes. Citing examples from India and Brazil, the Bank said school sanitation facilities have been shown to increase enrolment, especially among adolescent girls, and improve completion rates.
The World Bank further stressed the environmental benefits of resilient sanitation systems, noting their potential to reduce global methane emissions by up to 10 per cent and ensure a cleaner, more reliable water supply. It called for circular approaches that recycle faecal sludge and wastewater into energy, water, and other resources.
To address the crisis, the Bank recommended that governments and stakeholders prioritise sanitation policy and funding, design inclusive urban infrastructure resilient to climate shocks, and support innovation, data collection, and workforce training.
“Achieving climate-resilient urban sanitation is possible—action must start now,” the report concluded.
“Together, governments, service providers, businesses, and communities can build sanitation systems that protect people, prosperity, and our planet.”
