Placing water and sanitation at the center of Africa’s development and climate agenda.
The African Union (AU) has declared 2026 as the Year of “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” This theme elevates water and sanitation to a continental political priority, recognizing them as catalysts for economic transformation, climate resilience, public health, food security, and regional stability. The theme was launched during the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa on 14 February 2026. Despite progress, millions of Africans still lack safe water and sanitation, undermining health, productivity, and human dignity. Climate change is intensifying water stress through droughts, floods, and hydrological disruptions. The 2026 Theme responds to this urgent challenge by placing water and sanitation at the center of Africa’s development and climate agenda. This presents a significant opportunity to drive transformative, climate resilient, and people centered investments in water and sanitation. It ...