Funding Shortages Impact Africa's Water Sector and Infrastructure

The annual funding gap for water infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa stands at approximately $11 billion, contributing to significant access issues. A 2014 OECD report indicated that 25% of the 1.2 billion population lack close access to clean drinking water, while 700 million lack adequate sanitation.

In 2018, the African Development Bank estimated Africa’s overall infrastructure funding gap at $130 to $170 billion per year. Funding from African states for water infrastructure decreased from $6.1 billion in 2016 to $5.9 billion in 2017.

Experts at the Africa Water Association meeting in Kampala highlighted industrial pollution and climate change as critical factors exacerbating water scarcity. They recommended embracing a circular economy and innovative water purification methods to tackle these challenges. Future investments should focus on sustainable resource management to support agricultural needs for Africa's projected population of 1.8 billion by 2050.