Nigeria and African Union strengthen efforts for water and sanitation access across Africa
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Nigeria and the African Union Commission are intensifying efforts to improve access to safe water and sanitation across Africa. This follows a high-level meeting in Abuja with the African Ministers’ Council on Water AMCOW. Joseph Utsev, Nigeria's Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, welcomed an AU delegation led by Harsen Nyambe, Director for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission, and Nelson Gomonda, Officer-in-Charge of the AMCOW Secretariat. The Minister emphasized the importance of the visit for continental collaboration on water governance and policy, highlighting that water security is crucial for Africa’s transformation, including food security, industrialization, and climate resilience. He noted the AU's 2026 Theme of the Year, "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems," as a significant step in elevating the sector within Agenda 2063. Nigeria is prepared to lead in developing an actionable implementation plan for the Africa Water Vision 2063, which will translate commitments into practical programs. Nyambe commended Nigeria's leadership and its role as host of the AMCOW Secretariat since 2002, stating that the visit aims to deepen collaboration with key member states like Nigeria to implement the Africa Water Vision 2063 and ensure universal access. Despite increased policy attention, over 400 million people in Africa lack access to safe drinking water, and more than 700 million lack adequate sanitat
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