By Abdullahi Lukman
The African Development Fund (ADF), through its Climate Action Window, has approved an additional $8.6 million grant to support the first phase of the Water Sector and Climate Resilience Building Support Programme (PASEREC) in Burundi.
The new financing supplements the $13.3 million initially approved in 2023 and extends the programme by one year. Running until 2029, PASEREC aims to provide safe drinking water to 500,000 people across five rural provinces — Bubanza, Cibitoke, Cankuzo, Rutana, and Ruyigi — regions heavily affected by droughts, floods, and cholera outbreaks.
The project will fund the construction of 17 solar-powered water systems, eco-friendly sanitation infrastructure, and irrigation networks to enhance food production and income generation.
It is expected to create about 2,700 jobs, with 80% reserved for youth and women, through climate-smart agriculture, small-scale farming, and water system maintenance.
Beyond infrastructure, PASEREC focuses on empowering local communities to manage water resources sustainably and promoting gender equality through skills training and access to finance.
It will also support agro-pastoral cooperatives by equipping women and young farmers with new agricultural knowledge and start-up opportunities.
“This project is about dignity, health and opportunity, while also demonstrating the central role of water for the sustainable socio-economic development of Burundi,” said Mecuria Assefaw, Division Manager for Water and Sanitation at the African Development Bank.
The programme is co-financed by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) and the Government of Burundi, reflecting a strong partnership for climate resilience and inclusive development.
