Nigeria, African Union Strengthen Push for Safe Water Access Across Africa

Nigeria and the African Union Commission have stepped up efforts to expand access to safe water and sanitation across Africa, following a high-level engagement in Abuja with key continental stakeholders.

The meeting, which involved the African Ministers’ Council on Water, brought together senior officials to accelerate collaboration on water governance and policy implementation. Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, hosted the delegation led by Harsen Nyambe.

Speaking during the engagement, Utsev described the visit as a significant step towards strengthening partnerships aimed at addressing Africa’s water and sanitation challenges. He emphasised that sustained political will is essential to achieving meaningful progress across the continent.

“Water security is central to Africa’s transformation. Without safe water and sanitation, we cannot achieve food security, industrialisation, or climate resilience,” he said.

The discussions centred on developing an implementation plan for the Africa Water Vision 2063, a long-term framework designed to ensure equitable and sustainable water access across the continent. The plan is expected to switch policy commitments into actionable programmes between 2026 and 2033.

Utsev also highlighted the African Union’s 2026 theme, which focuses on ensuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems, noting that it reflects a growing recognition of water as a foundation for development.

Responding, Nyambe commended Nigeria’s leadership in the sector, particularly its role as host of the AMCOW Secretariat since 2002. He noted that the visit forms part of broader consultations aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of continental water strategies.

AMCOW, established in 2002, serves as the African Union’s specialised platform for coordinating water policy and mobilising investment in the sector.

The Abuja engagement is expected to strengthen regional efforts to bridge water access gaps and improve living conditions across the continent.

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