Week 2
Water and Sanitation as Drivers for Economic Transformation and Sustainable Urbanization
Day 1 – 11 May
The Africa Dialogue Series 2026 starts its second week under the sub-theme "Water and Sanitation as Drivers for Economic Transformation and Sustainable Urbanization". AUDA-NEPAD and UN-Habitat introduce us to the theme through the following video-messages.
AUDA-NEPAD presents
Transforming Water and Sanitation in Africa: A $1.6 Billion Investment
Access to clean water and dignified sanitation is the cornerstone of human progress, yet for millions across Eastern and Southern Africa, this remains a daily challenge. This video explores a landmark initiative—a $1.6 billion investment by the World Bank Group, AUDA-NEPAD, and 12 African nations—designed to fundamentally reshape the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector. By moving beyond temporary fixes and focusing on long-term systemic change, this program is building the infrastructure and governance needed to ensure that no community is left behind. From empowering women and children to fostering regional economic stability, we invite you to witness the beginning of a historic journey toward a water-secure future.
Universal WASH Access: Collaborative Solutions for a Sustainable Future
On 14 and 15 February 2026, global leaders, policymakers, and development experts gathered in Addis Ababa for the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Forum to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: accelerating universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
The scale and urgency of Africa’s water challenges require collaboration, as illustrated by this partnership.
UN-Habitat presents
Clean water is key for public health around Lake Victoria
About 250,000 residents in Mwanza, Tanzania, are benefiting from improved water and sanitation and a cleaner environment as part of the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Programme. The project is part of a three country initiative to improve water in towns around the lake in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. This includes new water infrastructure, as well as public health education and awareness-raising hygiene campaigns. The project is implemented by local partners and backed by the European Investment Bank in partnership with UN-Habitat, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), KfW and the European Commission.
HARGEISA URBAN WATER SUPPLY UPGRADING PROJECT (HUWSUP)
The Hargeisa Urban Water Supply Upgrading Project (HUWSUP) upgraded the outdated water production and transmission system with new infrastructure and laid the foundation for improved water access for the city’s population. The project was led by the UN-Habitat, implemented with the Hargeisa Water Agency and funded jointly by the European Union, UN-Habitat, and the Somaliland Development Fund. A new 23-kilometer-long 600mm main transmission line has been built to replace the over 40-year old 300mm diameter line, more boreholes drilled and a new and modern pumping station constructed.
UN-Habitat Executive Director, Anaclaudia Rossbach’s Message on World Water Day
Water and sanitation are not only a matter of infrastructure. They are also a matter of equality, dignity, and rights. This year, World Water Day focuses on water and gender. The UN World Water Development Report from 2026 highlights how unequal access to housing, land, and basic services can leave people without clean water and sanitation, especially women and girls, in slums and informal settlements. Inequality in land and housing often limits access to essential services. That is why UN-Habitat works to advance more inclusive land governance, strengthen basic services and transform informal settlements and slums.
Water Work and Will. A Partnership Changing Lives in Luapula, Zambia
In Zambia’s Luapula Province, a peer partnership is strengthening local capacity and improving essential services.
This short documentary features residents, health workers and utility staff sharing how collaboration and solidarity are delivering lasting improvements in water and sanitation.
Through co-creation between Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company and three German utilities from Dresden, Elbaue Ostharz and Vogtland, the project has resulted in operationalized infrastructure, reduced water losses, and extended access to water and sanitation for thousands of people.
The project is supported by the EU-funded Water Operators’ Partnerships Programme, managed by Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA/UN-Habitat), and funded by the European Union.