Access to safe and reliable drinking water remains a significant challenge across much of Central Africa, with Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) among the most affected countries in the region.

The Stark Realities of Water Scarcity

According to the latest data from the World Bank, only 53% of the population in Cameroon, 37% in CAR, and 52% in the DRC have access to basic drinking water services. In rural areas, the situation is even more dire, with access rates as low as 42% in Cameroon, 27% in CAR, and 35% in the DRC.

The reasons for this water access crisis are multifaceted, rooted in the region’s challenging geographic, economic, and infrastructural landscape:

Geographic Barriers: Central Africa is home to diverse terrains, including vast tropical rainforests, rugged mountains, and arid savannas. This topographic complexity makes it difficult and costly to develop and maintain the water distribution networks needed to reach all communities, especially those in remote rural areas.

Economic Constraints: Poverty is widespread in the region, with over 60% of the population in Cameroon, CAR, and the DRC living below the international poverty line of $1.90 per day. This severely limits the ability of individuals and communities to invest in water infrastructure or afford the costs associated with accessing clean water.

Infrastructure Deficits: Years of political instability, conflict, and underinvestment have left the water and sanitation infrastructure in a state of disrepair across much of Central Africa. Many existing water points, such as boreholes and wells, are no longer functioning, while treatment and distribution networks are often inadequate or non-existent.

Devastating Impacts on Communities

The consequences of this water access crisis are far-reaching and devastating, particularly for vulnerable populations in rural and conflict-affected areas. Women and children often bear the brunt of the burden, spending hours each day walking long distances to collect water, which is frequently contaminated and unsafe to drink.

The lack of access to clean water has a direct impact on public health, contributing to the spread of waterborne illnesses such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. In the DRC, for example, cholera outbreaks have become an annual occurrence, with over 55,000 reported cases and 1,000 deaths in 2022 alone.

Furthermore, the scarcity of water hinders the ability of communities to engage in agricultural activities, impeding food security and economic development. The situation is particularly acute in the DRC, where only 6% of arable land is currently under irrigation.

Pioneering Solutions for Water Access

Despite the challenges, there are innovative solutions emerging to address the water access crisis in Central Africa. Off-grid water purification systems, such as solar-powered desalination plants and community-managed water kiosks, are providing safe and affordable drinking water to underserved populations.

Rainwater harvesting techniques are also gaining traction, with some communities in Cameroon and the CAR installing large-scale collection and storage systems to supplement their water supply during the rainy season.

International aid and development organizations have also been investing in WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) projects across the region, constructing new wells and boreholes, rehabilitating existing infrastructure, and promoting hygiene education.

A Call to Action for Improved Water Access

To truly address the water access crisis in Central Africa, a concerted and collaborative effort is needed from governments, NGOs, and the private sector. Policymakers must prioritize water infrastructure development, allocate resources for maintenance and operations, and implement regulatory frameworks to ensure equitable and sustainable water management.

International donors and development partners should continue to support WASH initiatives, while also exploring innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships, to unlock additional resources for water projects.

The private sector can also play a crucial role, leveraging its expertise and resources to develop affordable, scalable water solutions tailored to the unique needs of communities in Cameroon, CAR, and the DRC.

By working together to address the root causes of the water access crisis and implementing sustainable, community-driven solutions, we can ensure that everyone in Central Africa has access to the clean, safe water they need to thrive