11 February 2013: The African Water Facility (AWF) of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a grant of €1.1 million to the Government of Congo to increase access to drinking water and sanitation to approximately 100.000 people in five semi-urban centers.

AWF financing will enable the carrying out of feasibility studies for water access and sanitation in Bouansa, Boundji, Kidmaba, Makabana and Mouyondzi. The project is part of the national policy that aims to make the water sector, sanitation and the promotion of hygiene one of the priorities for poverty reduction.

The main components of the project are: raising awareness and building the capacity of the actors of selected semi-urban centers; the development of strategic studies of the water and sanitation sectors, as well as advance studies; the carrying out of studies relating to the operationalization of the water sector development fund (WSDF); and building the capacities of the current managers of the WSDF.

The project also aims to contribute to green growth in Congo, through the construction of sustainable infrastructures, a better management of natural resources, and an increase in the resilience of households and economic activities to climate change.

At the conclusion of the project, a donors roundtable will be organized to present the financial resources needed to build the infrastructure required for the supply of drinking water and sanitation to the semi-urban centers, as well as for the operationalization of the WSDF. [AfDB Press Release (in French)]