AfDB to fund Tunisian waste water treatment project

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has allocated a €32.5m grant to finance a waste water treatment infrastructure rehabilitation project in Tunisia.

The grant was approved as part of a loan and guarantee agreement signed between AfDB, the Tunisian government and the National Sanitation Authority.

AfDB acting vice president Gilbert Mbesherubusa said the waste water treatment project will strengthen the support provided by AfDB since 1966 to Tunisia’s efforts to promote its economic and social development.

Farming, which is a key economic activity in the country, consumes nearly 80% of increasing scarce ground and surface water.

In order to help farmers, the Tunisian authorities intend to increase the annual supply of treated water by 132 million cubic metres, to irrigate 25,000ha of land.

The project involves 30 water treatment plants across the country which will benefit about four million people in urban and rural areas and about 4,000 farmers.

Image: The rehabilitation project involves the construction of 30 waste water treatment plants across Tunisia. Photo: John Kasawa