16 April 2012: The World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP) has released a report titled “Economic Impacts of Poor Sanitation in Africa,” which highlights that approximately 1% to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of African countries and US$5.5 billion is lost annually due to inadequate sanitation.

The report surveys 18 African countries, accounting for over half of Africa’s population. It provides an overview of the economic impacts that the lack of adequate sanitation has on affected populations, both in the short and long-term.

Noting that current investments in sanitation in Africa are less than 0.1% of GDP and that only five of the 18 surveyed countries actively invest in water and sanitation programmes, the report outlines that costs borne by populations due to inadequate sanitation can be ascribed to, inter alia, premature deaths, health costs and productivity loss. It discusses other possible causes of economic loss, such as disease outbreaks, loss in trade and tourism, and the impact of inadequate sanitation on local water resource safety. Women and children are also noted as bearing the largest proportion of the costs detailed in the report. [WSP Press Release] [Publication: Economic Impacts of Poor Sanitation in Africa]