N’Djamena to host African Water Forum in 2026

The African Water Forum will convene in N’Djamena on July 15-16, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders to address the continent’s pressing water challenges.

Chad’s strategic role in continental water security

The Minister of Finance, Budget, Economy, Planning and International Cooperation held a press briefing to unveil the details of the event—titled From Vision to Action. The Forum will take place at the heart of Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, with the World Bank’s resident representative in attendance.

The Minister emphasized Chad’s pivotal role in regional water management, highlighting its vast hydrological assets: the Lake Chad basin, major rivers like the Chari and Logone, as well as lakes Fitri, Léré, Iro, and others. He also underscored the shared Nubian Sandstone Aquifer and transboundary basins that sustain neighboring countries.

“As a Sahelian nation, we face unique water-related pressures—climate change, rapid population growth, and fragile infrastructure,” he noted. “Chad is stepping forward as a leader in this continental dialogue to turn challenges into actionable solutions.”

He framed the Forum as both a vote of confidence from international partners and a government commitment to prioritize water security as a cornerstone of national development. “Water is not just a natural resource; it is the foundation of peace, resilience, and prosperity for our communities.”

Policy commitments and regional cooperation

The government outlined three core objectives for the Forum:

• Universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation, with special focus on vulnerable populations
• Expansion of irrigation systems to bolster food security
• Sustainable management of shared water resources, including the Lake Chad basin and the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer

The Minister praised the World Bank’s renewed partnership, citing a forthcoming project as a critical milestone in Chad’s long-term water strategy. He also highlighted the Water Forward initiative—aligned with the President’s development agenda—which champions water access for people, agriculture, and the environment.

Call for action: turning promises into results

Delegates are expected to adopt concrete measures, including national water compacts and accountability frameworks to ensure commitments are met. Chad is poised not only to host the Forum but to champion Africa’s water transformation, paving the way for sustainable solutions in a region where water is both a lifeline and a source of tension.