ABUJA, Nigeria — African leaders are set to mobilise major financing for water security, irrigation, and sanitation under a new continental initiative to be launched at the forthcoming Africa Water Summit.
Nigeria is expected to play a central role in the initiative following an invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the President of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.
The invitation was delivered in Abuja by Chad’s Minister of Finance, Budget, Economy, Planning and International Cooperation, Tahir Hammid Nguilin, who met with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Nguilin said the summit will officially launch the Water Forward Initiative in Africa, a programme being implemented in collaboration with the World Bank and other multilateral development partners to address the continent’s growing water challenges.
“The summit seeks to elevate water security as a strategic continental priority by mobilising sustainable financing for water resources, irrigation, sanitation, agriculture and livestock development,” he said.
He added that participating countries would enter into country-specific partnership agreements with development partners, while African Heads of State are expected to adopt a declaration placing water security at the core of Africa’s long-term development strategy.
Highlighting Nigeria’s influence, the Chadian envoy noted that Tinubu’s participation would be critical in driving continental momentum and attracting investment into the sector.
Receiving the message on behalf of the President, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation for the invitation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Chad and other African nations on key development priorities.
The initiative comes amid increasing concerns over water scarcity, climate change, and food security across Africa, with governments seeking coordinated solutions to improve access to clean water and support agricultural productivity.
The summit is expected to convene African leaders, financial institutions, and development partners to unlock funding and accelerate implementation of sustainable water infrastructure projects across the continent.
