FG, AU strengthen partnership to expand access to safe water across Africa

Nigeria and the African Union Commission have stepped up efforts to improve access to safe water and sanitation across the continent following a high-level meeting with the African Ministers’ Council on Water in Abuja.

According to a statement by AMCOW’s Officer-in-Charge at the AU Secretariat, Nelson Gomonda, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, hosted the delegation led by Harsen Nyambe, alongside other senior officials.

Welcoming the delegation, Utsev described the engagement as a significant step toward strengthening collaboration on water governance and policy implementation across Africa.

He emphasised that water security remains central to the continent’s development, noting that access to safe water and sanitation underpins key sectors such as food security, industrial growth, and climate resilience.

The minister also highlighted the African Union’s 2026 Theme of the Year—focused on sustainable water availability and sanitation—as a reflection of growing recognition of the sector’s importance to achieving the continent’s long-term development goals under Agenda 2063.

Utsev added that Nigeria is ready to take a leading role in coordinating member states and partners to develop a practical implementation plan for the Africa Water Vision 2063, aimed at delivering measurable outcomes.

In his remarks, Nyambe commended Nigeria’s longstanding support for AMCOW and its leadership in advancing water governance across Africa, noting that the country has hosted the council’s secretariat since 2002.

He said the visit forms part of broader consultations to accelerate the implementation of the Africa Water Vision 2063, with a focus on developing a 2026–2033 action plan anchored on high-impact programmes.

Despite increased policy focus, access to water and sanitation remains a major challenge across Africa. Estimates indicate that over 400 million people lack safe drinking water, while more than 700 million do not have adequate sanitation services.

In Nigeria, access gaps persist, particularly in rural and underserved communities, contributing to public health challenges and slowing socio-economic development.

The Abuja meeting is expected to strengthen regional cooperation as African countries intensify efforts to close water access gaps and achieve universal access targets in line with continental development frameworks.