By Abdullahi Lukman
Leaders of the African Union have placed water and sanitation at the center of Africa’s development agenda for the first time, adopting a new implementation framework and launching the Africa Water Vision 2063 during the 39th AU Summit in Addis Ababa.
The summit, held from 11–15 February 2026 under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Achieving Safe Sanitation Systems to Realize the Goals of Agenda 2063,” drew high-level participation from Heads of State and Government and signaled strong political commitment to addressing water insecurity across the continent.
AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, said more than 400 million people in Africa lack adequate water for daily use, while over 800 million do not have access to basic hygiene services.
He also highlighted an annual financing gap of about $30 billion needed to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation.
According to Vilakati, the decision to make water and sanitation the theme of the year reflects growing recognition of their importance to human security, social stability and economic transformation.
A major outcome of the summit was the unveiling of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy, designed to guide Member States on water governance, infrastructure development and sanitation reforms in line with African Union’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063.
The framework is also intended to harmonize Africa’s position ahead of global engagements, including the upcoming UN Water Conference.
Harson Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the AU Commission, noted that access to clean water and sanitation has improved in recent years but said progress remains uneven.
He identified inadequate infrastructure, climate-related disasters such as floods and droughts, and limited investment as major constraints.
Leaders emphasized that improved management of transboundary water resources is essential for preventing conflict and promoting regional integration.
They also reaffirmed support for related continental initiatives, including disaster risk reduction programmes, multi-hazard early warning systems, the blue economy strategy and the Great Green Wall Initiative.
The Commission called for stronger collaboration among governments, regional economic communities, the private sector and development partners to close financing gaps and accelerate implementation.
By prioritizing water and sanitation, the 39th AU Summit has positioned the sector as a cornerstone for achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development across Africa.