African Development Fund Approves $24.45M Grant for Clean Water in Somalia

The African Development Fund has approved a $24.45 million grant to expand access to clean water and sanitation in Somalia, benefiting more than half a million people in three rapidly growing urban centres.

The financing will support the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project, aimed at delivering reliable water services and improved sanitation facilities in the towns of Dollow, Qardho and South Galkayo, where safe water remains scarce and climate shocks are intensifying.

Approved on 28 January, the project comes at a critical time as these towns have absorbed large numbers of internally displaced people, placing increasing pressure on already fragile water systems.

Addressing Water Scarcity and Sanitation Challenges

In Somalia, women and children often spend hours each day collecting water, while poor sanitation continues to fuel disease and undermine dignity.

The project aims to transform this reality by improving access to safe water, strengthening hygiene practices, and reducing exposure to waterborne illnesses.

Major Investment in Urban Water Infrastructure

The grant will be used to expand and rehabilitate water and sanitation systems across the three towns, including:

• installation of 40 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines

• drilling or rehabilitation of 42 boreholes

• construction of four water treatment plants

• establishment of three new water quality testing laboratories

• installation of 26 generators as solar backup systems

These upgrades are designed to strengthen urban resilience and ensure continuity of water supply even during climate-related disruptions.

Improved Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion

The project will also deliver critical sanitation improvements, including:

• construction of an estimated 915 shared household latrines

• deployment of mobile desludging units to prevent overflowing waste

• rollout of a hygiene promotion campaign on menstrual health targeting 30 percent of the population

Officials said these measures will improve public health outcomes and enhance dignity, particularly for women and girls.

Building Local Capacity and Skills for Long-Term Sustainability

Institutional strengthening is a key pillar of the initiative. The project will train 100 federal member state staff in:

• water quality and groundwater monitoring using digital systems

• infrastructure maintenance and budgeting

• coordination and regulation of water services

In addition, youth from marginalised groups will receive technical skills training in:

• pipeline installation

• borehole drilling

• reservoir rehabilitation

• water treatment plant construction

Expected Long-Term Benefits

The project is expected to deliver wide-ranging outcomes, including:

• reduced health risks from waterborne diseases

• less time spent fetching water, improving productivity

• increased school attendance, especially among girls

• stronger operational capacity for local authorities and water utilities

The Bank said the combined infrastructure and capacity-building approach will help ensure benefits continue well beyond the project's lifetime.

AfDB Deepens Engagement in Somalia

Bubacarr Sankareh, the African Development Bank's lead advisor for Somalia operations, said the investment reflects the Bank's continued commitment to resilient development.

"This investment deepens our engagement in Somalia and marks another important step toward improving access to reliable water supply and sanitation services," he said."By expanding resilient urban systems, we are enhancing health and hygiene and building local capacity."