The African Development Bank (AfDB) reiterated its commitment to mobilise additional resources for the Kigali Action Plan, at high level event in Addis Ababa last month.

This Plan aims to provide clean water and sanitation to 5 million people in the ten least-developed African countries in this area.

During the event held on the sidelines of the 24^th Summit of the African Union (AU) the AfDB and recipient countries explored the various possible strategies for resource mobilisation, with a view to accelerating the achievement of the water and sanitation-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa.

Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo stressed the importance of working in unison and in solidarity. She emphasised strong political will needed from member States in order to raise the €50 million required for the implementation of the Kigali Action Plan.

AfDB Vice-President in charge of Agriculture, Water, Human Development, Governance and Natural Resources, Aly Abou-Sabaa echoed that sentiment, reiterating the commitment of his institution towards the success of the Kigali Action Plan.

“I urge all African countries and development partners to lend their full support to this typical African initiative,” he said.

A memorandum was signed at the end of the high-level event by the beneficiary Member States, the Republic of Rwanda, the African Union Commission and AMCOW.

With some €140 million contributed to the Kigali Action Plan date by the Trust Fund Donors, including Burkina Faso, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland, the AfDB has been able to leverage a total of some additional €5 billion for rural water supply and sanitation.

The AfDB, through the RWSSI Trust Fund, has provided clean water for 82 million people and improved sanitation for 57 million.