African water utility chiefs call for funding to meet SDG6

By Prossy Nandudu

KAMPALA - Water and sanitation utility companies chief executive officers from 40 countries in Africa and beyond have identified inadequate financing as one of the challenges preventing them from meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.

SDG6 targets ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

International Water Association (IWA) President Prof. Hamanth Kasan made the revelation during a CEOs forum on February 18, 2025, on the sidelines of the 22nd African Water and Sanitation Association International Congress and Exhibition, taking place at CommonWealth Resort Munyonyo.

The conference, which started on February 16, 2025, is organised by the Government of Uganda, through the water ministry and ends February 20, and is running under the theme: Water and Sanitation for All, a Secure Future for Africa.

Silver Mugisa and Andrew Muhwezi listen to Pierre Yves Tallec, the International Sales Manager for Aliaxis a solutions provider for utility and infrastructure companies at the AFWASA exhibition. (Credit: Maria Wamala)

"Interestingly with the current finance issues from the US that are impacting countries in the world, where no aid is being released, let us engage and get innovative pathways that will help us move the agenda forward,” Kasan said.

He also added that since financing from the US is almost no more, they are now looking up to the African Development Bank to get innovative pathways that will help finance this course.

In addition to limited finance, Kasan also called for a change in strategies among water utilities that lead to the attainment of the SDGs.

“I think we have to be doing something now and fast because clearly, the methods we have used in the past are not yielding results. I would like to suggest that we should change the approach because this action is all about financing for a secure water and sanitation future,” Kasan added.

Dr William Muhairwe, the former MD of NWSC interacts with the institution's current MP Eng Dr Silver Mugisa during the CEOs forum at the AFWASA in Munyonyo, Kampala. (Credit: Maria Wamala)

Options for financing the water sector

In response to the call by water experts, acting director water and sanitation department at the African Development Bank Mtchera Johannes Chirwa, however, assured the CEOs that the bank has funds that can help them attain the SDGs.

Chirwa explained that the bank has so far disbursed funds through the climate action window that has been receiving $400m for the last three years.

Under this window, utilities were at liberty to access funds under the climate change mitigation window, adaptation window and through the technical window but very few countries are aware of that opportunity so the idea is to promote these financing options,” Chirwa said.

Chirwa added that the Bank's support to water activities is because the African countries may not realise the SDGs unless the water utilities are performing and also are able to address the issue of urbanisation within.

Participants discuss during the CEO's forum at the 22nd Africa Water and Sanitation Association Congress at Speke Resort Munyonyo. (Credit: Maria Wamala)

He added that although some of the utilities already have strong linkages with commercial banks, AfDB will support those without those linkages through guarantees.

Other financing instrument that the bank is discussing with developers is the 2026 cycle where more resources will be made available.

In addition to funding, African Water and Sanitation Association president Dr Silver Mugisha, also Uganda's National Water and Sewerage Corporation managing director, called for capacity building among utility heads so as to provide leadership needed for the attainment of the SDGS.

He added that this has been simplified through the recently launched Africa Water and Sanitation Academy, which will be hosted in Uganda.

“The African Water and Sanitation Academy is going to help us reflect on ourselves as Utility heads and managers. Looking at how things should be, and be the change we want to see,” Mugisha added.