Nigeria and the African Union Commission have stepped up efforts to improve access to safe water and sanitation across the continent, following a high-level engagement with the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) in Abuja.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, brought together key stakeholders to advance collaboration on water governance and accelerate implementation of continental frameworks.
According to a statement by Nelson Gomonda, Officer-in-Charge of AMCOW at the AU Secretariat, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, received a delegation from the African Union led by Harsen Nyambe, Director for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy. Other members included Bala Tuham, Comfort Kanshio, and Jonathan Kampata, alongside senior officials involved in the Blue Africa Action initiative.
Welcoming the delegation, Utsev described the visit as a significant step toward strengthening cooperation on water policy and governance across Africa.
“We are honoured to receive this high-level delegation from the African Union Commission and AMCOW. Your presence underscores the shared commitment to advancing water security and sanitation across Africa,” he said.
He noted that the engagement comes at a critical time, as African countries intensify efforts to close existing gaps in water access and sanitation services.
“This visit is a clear demonstration of the strong partnership between Nigeria, the African Union, and AMCOW in driving forward a unified water and sanitation agenda for the continent,” Utsev added.
The minister stressed the importance of sustained political will, describing water security as central to Africa’s broader development goals.
“Without safe water and sanitation, we cannot achieve food security, industrialisation, or climate resilience,” he said.
He also highlighted the African Union’s 2026 Theme of the Year, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems,” noting that it reflects growing recognition of the sector’s importance under Agenda 2063.
Utsev further explained that discussions at the meeting focused on developing the 2026–2033 implementation plan for the Africa Water Vision 2063, aimed at translating policy commitments into practical, high-impact programmes.
In his remarks, Nyambe commended Nigeria’s leadership in the sector, particularly its role as host of the AMCOW Secretariat since 2002.
“Nigeria has remained a strong pillar of support for AMCOW and for Africa’s water governance architecture. This engagement further demonstrates that leadership,” he said.
He added that the visit forms part of wider consultations to drive implementation of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and ensure inclusive access to water and sanitation services across the continent.
Despite growing policy attention, Africa continues to face significant challenges. According to the United Nations, over 400 million people lack access to safe drinking water, while more than 700 million do not have adequate sanitation.
In Nigeria, millions—especially in rural and underserved communities—still lack access to safe water and sanitation, contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases and hindering socio-economic development.
Established in 2002, AMCOW serves as the African Union’s specialised platform for coordinating water policy and mobilising investments across member states.
The Abuja meeting is expected to strengthen regional collaboration as African countries intensify efforts to achieve universal access to safe water and sanitation in line with Agenda 2063.
