The new policy will promote increased sustainable development and management of Africa’s limited water resources through the water-energy-food nexus to support inclusive and green growth.

Cote d’Ivoire, Abidjan, 18 May 2021 - The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank unanimously approved the Bank’s new Policy on Water during its session held 14 May 2021.

“This new Policy on Water provides a general framework for the African Development Bank Group to expand its role as the continent’s partner promoting the integrated development and management of Africa’s water sector for inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa,” said Atsuko Toda, the Bank’s Acting Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development.

The Bank’s new Water Policy aims to promote Africa-wide attainment of a minimum platform of water security, with a special focus on areas of fragility, as well as assist African countries and sub-regional groups harness and sustain water resources productivity potential to support development.

The new Water Policy is anchored around four principles:

Principle 1: attainment of water security at household, national and regional levels should be recognised as a key outcome fundamental for inclusive growth.

Within the framework of this policy, the Bank seeks to promote the attainment of water security in all its regional member countries and sub-regions.

Principle 2: equitable social welfare and economic growth require the application of the Integrated Water Resources Management approach.

The Bank will continue to advocate for an integrated approach to water development and management by striking a sustainable balance in the social, economic and environmental spheres.

Principle 3: promoting sustainable and equitable access to water services is an enabler for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Water is a key enabler for many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the framework through which the international community pursues the global efforts to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. The Bank considers water to be essential for life, health, dignity, empowerment, environmental sustainability, peace and prosperity. The new Water Policy aims to vigorously promote water security to advance the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

Principle 4: transboundary water resources management and development should be recognised as a significant requirement to achieve seamless regional economic integration.

The Bank will actively seek to use the transboundary nature of water to enhance regional integration and promote conflict resolution.

In its assessment of the policy, the Bank’s Board commended the Bank’s water, policy and strategy departments for leading the policy-preparation process.

“That the Bank’s Board noted the new policy is a best practice for excellence in quality, selectivity and degree of consultation. The Board’s acknowledgement will add to our motivation to see the policy diligently implemented,” said Osward Chanda, Officer in Charge for the Bank’s Water Development and Sanitation Department. “We are grateful for the inputs and perspectives provided by Bank departments that are part of the water ecosystem, which helped shape this Water Policy,” he added.

To maximize Bank resources impact and promote a coordinated approach to water-related interventions across sectors, the Bank will establish an internal coordination mechanism for water-related interventions. The mechanism will be overseen by a Policy on Water Cross-sector Coordination Committee with adequate capacity, resources and appropriate skills.

Since 2010, the African Development Bank has invested an estimated $6.2 billion in water supply and sanitation services delivery. COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities caused by under-investment in water, sanitation and hygiene services, also known as WASH. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 which affected lending operations, the active water sector portfolio stood at $4.3 billion, comprised of nearly one hundred national projects implemented in 40 countries, and 6 multinational projects.

The Bank Group’s vision for water security is an Africa where there is an equitable and sustainable use and management of water resources for poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, regional cooperation and the environment.