This Friday, May 22, the Minister of State for Finance, Tahir Hamid Nguilin, and the World Bank’s Resident Representative in Chad, Farouk Mollah Banna, held a press briefing to unveil key details about the upcoming African Water Forum From Vision to Action. Scheduled for July 15-16, 2026 in N’Djamena, this continental gathering will focus on transforming water management strategies into actionable solutions.

Chad’s pivotal role in Africa’s water security

The Minister of State expressed pride in Chad’s selection as the host nation, emphasizing the country’s critical role in the region’s hydrological landscape. « Chad is a water-rich nation, » he stated, highlighting the nation’s vast resources, including the Lake Chad basin, major rivers like the Chari and Logone, as well as lakes such as Fitri, Léré, and Iro. He also underscored the importance of transboundary basins such as the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, which supports multiple countries in the subregion.

Despite these abundant resources, Chad faces pressing challenges, including the impacts of climate change, rapid population growth, and underdeveloped water infrastructure. These issues underscore the urgency of continental collaboration on water security, making the forum’s timing particularly significant.

Financing and partnerships for sustainable water solutions

Farouk Mollah Banna of the World Bank revealed that a major financial initiative is in the pipeline to bolster Chad’s water sector. « The World Bank is preparing a landmark water project valued at $160 million, » he announced. « This initiative will be presented to the board of directors just two weeks prior to the forum, signaling a strong commitment to tangible progress. »

The forum will convene institutional leaders, technical partners, financial backers, and water experts from across Africa. The objective? To craft practical solutions for enhancing water governance and ensuring long-term sustainability across the continent.