AfDB Boosts Climate-Resilient Water Project in Ethiopia
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved an additional $16.38 million in financing to strengthen climate-resilient water infrastructure in Ethiopia’s drought-prone Borana region of Oromia, under the Borana Resilient Water Development for Improved Livelihoods Programme II.
The new funding package includes a $9.38 million grant from the Climate Action Window of the African Development Fund, the Bank’s concessional arm, and $7 million from the Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility.
This investment aims to expand access to clean water by deploying solar-powered water systems and extending the existing water distribution network by nearly 95 kilometres. The project will benefit an estimated 23,000 people and 50,000 livestock, providing crucial relief to communities that have endured devastating droughts and massive livestock losses.
“This additional financing marks a decisive step towards climate-proofing livelihoods in one of the most fragile ecosystems in the Horn of Africa,” said Mecuria Assefaw, the Bank Group’s Water Security and Sanitation Manager for East and Southern Africa.
Implemented by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy, the programme will also promote integrated watershed management, build local institutional capacity, and introduce household biogas units to help reduce deforestation and emissions.
By improving water availability, the initiative is expected to create jobs, enhance health and education outcomes, and strengthen community resilience, particularly among women and youth.
“By harnessing renewable energy and empowering communities to manage their water resources, we are ensuring that resilience is not a concept on paper but a reality for families, farmers, and future generations,” Assefaw added.
The project aligns with Ethiopia’s Ten-Year Development Plan (2021–2030) and the AfDB’s Ethiopia Country Strategy Paper (2023–2027), both of which prioritise sustainable infrastructure and climate-smart innovations to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events such as droughts and shifting rainfall patterns.
