Nigeria and AU Collaborate to Improve Water Access in Africa

The Nigerian government, in collaboration with the African Union (AU), is intensifying efforts to enhance access to safe water and sanitation across Africa. This initiative follows a high-level engagement with the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) held in Abuja.

Nelson Gomonda, the AU's AMCOW Secretariat officer, and Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, received a delegation led by Harsen Nyamb, the Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the AU. The meeting underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration on water governance policies to operationalize the continent's framework aimed at closing the water access gap.

Utsev highlighted that water security is central to achieving food security and climate resilience. The AU's 2026 theme emphasizes sustainable water availability and sanitation systems, reflecting the growing recognition of these issues as foundational to Africa's development.

Despite increased policy attention, 400 million people in Africa lack access to safe drinking water, and 700 million lack adequate sanitation services, with Nigeria facing significant challenges, particularly in rural areas.