About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
This is an initiative of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and administered by the African Development Bank (AfDB), has officially launched its 2026 Call for Proposals (CfP) under the AWF 2026–2030 Strategy. The initiative seeks to identify and support high-impact, investment-oriented projects capable of transforming Africa’s water and sanitation sectors through improved financing, climate resilience, and sustainable service delivery.
The call is aimed at strengthening the pipeline of bankable water and sanitation projects across the continent while enabling eligible institutions to prepare investment-ready operations that can attract substantial downstream financing. Through grant funding of up to EUR 1 million per project, AWF intends to help African countries accelerate progress toward universal access to safe water, sanitation, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Eligible organisations have until 10 September 2026 to submit concept notes for consideration.
About the 2026 Call for Proposals
The African Water Facility has designed this funding opportunity to support projects that address critical challenges in Africa’s water and sanitation sectors while improving investment readiness and long-term sustainability.
The programme aligns with the AWF 2026–2030 Strategy, which prioritises innovative financing mechanisms, stronger governance, improved infrastructure planning, and inclusive service delivery. By supporting the early preparation of high-quality projects, AWF aims to bridge the financing gap that often limits large-scale infrastructure investments across the continent.
Selected projects will receive grant financing to strengthen project preparation activities, enabling them to become attractive for future public and private sector investment.
Priority Investment Areas
The 2026 Call for Proposals focuses on initiatives capable of delivering measurable development outcomes while attracting future investment.
Priority areas include:
• Project preparation and investment readiness
• Climate-resilient water and sanitation systems
• Innovative financing and catalytic investments
• Governance and institutional strengthening
• Inclusive and sustainable water and sanitation service delivery
• Sanitation sector transformation
Projects addressing these priorities should demonstrate strong development impact, financial viability, and the potential to mobilise additional investment for implementation.
Funding Available
Successful applicants may receive:
• Grant funding of up to EUR 1 million per project
The funding is intended to support project preparation and related technical activities that improve investment readiness rather than full-scale infrastructure implementation.
Eligible Applicants
The Call for Proposals is open to eligible organisations operating within Africa’s water and sanitation sectors.
Eligible applicants include:
• Regional Member Countries (RMCs)
• Public institutions
• Water and sanitation utilities
• River basin organisations
• Other eligible public-sector entities involved in water and sanitation development
How to apply