AfDB allocates $100m loan for Zaria water project in Nigeria

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has allocated a $100m loan for a water supply expansion and sanitation project in the city of Zaria in northern Nigeria.

The loan, provided through the African Development Fund, will help improve clean water and sanitation in the city. The funds will also help solve persistent water shortages and inadequate sanitation caused by poor infrastructure and an increasing population.

AfDB water and sanitation department director Sering Jallow said the bank’s support for the project is part of its commitment to supporting more African countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, by increasing access to clean water supplies and sanitation.

The bank said so far only 260,000 people have access to water and safe sanitation and just 150,000 have sanitation. Through the Zaria water supply expansion and sanitation project, about 1.4 million people in the city will gain improved access to clean water.

As part of the project, staff at the local Kaduna State Water Board will be trained to build utility management capacity, to ensure the successful operations and long-term sustainability.

A $1m social connection fund will be established to pre-finance water connection fees for poor people. A unit at the water board will oversee inclusion and provision of services for poor and marginalised groups.

The news follows AfDB’s announcement earlier this month that it approved a €3.3m African water facility (AWF) grant to provide improved access to water supply and sanitation for about 750,000 people in three Darfur states. The AWF grant will finance the preparation of bankable investment plans to leverage the $100m in financing required for long-term water and sanitation needs of the inhabitants in 15 to 20 towns in Darfur.

Image: An AfDB loan will help improve clean water and sanitation in the city of Zaria. Photo: Anynobody.