African Water Forum: Chad welcomes a senior World Bank official

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

The Chadian capital, N'Djamena, received today TuesdayThe World Bank Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Anna Bjerde, will participate in the African Water Forum, which brings together officials, experts and development partners to discuss ways to enhance water security and achieve sustainable management of water resources on the continent.

The visit of the international official coincided with the start of final preparations for the forum, which is being hosted by Chad with the participation of representatives of African governments, international financial institutions, development organizations, as well as experts and specialists in the water sector.

Challenges facing water security in Africa

The forum aims to discuss the most prominent challenges facing water security in Africa, including water scarcity, the effects of climate change, and ways to expand access to water and sanitation services, in addition to promoting regional cooperation in managing shared water resources.

Anna Bjerde’s participation comes as part of the World Bank Group’s efforts to strengthen its partnerships with African countries, support development projects related to water infrastructure, and enhance countries’ ability to adapt to climate change, thereby contributing to achieving sustainable development and improving the quality of life across the continent.

The African Water Forum is a regional platform for dialogue and exchange of experiences between governments and development partners, with the aim of developing practical solutions to address water challenges and promoting investments in this vital sector, which represents one of the most important pillars of food security and economic development in Africa.

The capital hosts Chadian N'Djamena, July 15-16, 2026, «African Water Forum» events, under the theme «From Vision to Implementation,» in a step that reflects the continent's shift towards practical action on one of the most dangerous strategic challenges, which is the water file.

Chad was chosen to host the forum due to its location in the heart of the Sahel region and its status as one of the countries most affected by the water crisis and the repercussions of climate change. It faces escalating challenges, including the shrinking of Lake Chad, recurring droughts, seasonal floods, rapid population growth, and refugee influxes, all of which increase pressure on limited water resources.

The forum represents a continental platform for discussing water security issues, amid growing concerns about water scarcity in Africa, where it is estimated that hundreds of millions of people still lack safe drinking water and adequate sanitation services, in parallel with the increasing impacts of climate change on water resources.