AWF Africa’s Water and Sanitation Investment Pipeline Programme 2026: €1 Million Per Project

The AWF Africa’s Water and Sanitation Investment Pipeline Programme 2026 is designed to help African organisations turn promising water and sanitation projects into investment-ready opportunities. Across the continent, many projects have the potential to improve access to clean water and safe sanitation, but they struggle to attract funding because they lack proper feasibility studies, technical designs, or financial planning.

To address this challenge, the African Water Facility (AWF), an initiative managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), has launched a new call for proposals under its 2026 to 2030 Strategy. The programme will provide project preparation grants of up to €1 million per project to support high-impact initiatives that can later secure larger investments for implementation.

What Is the Programme About?

Unlike grants that finance construction, this programme focuses on preparing projects for investment.

Funding can be used to carry out activities such as:

• Feasibility and technical studies.
• Environmental and social assessments.
• Engineering designs.
• Financial and business planning.
• Project structuring.
• Activities that improve investment readiness.

The goal is to create a stronger pipeline of bankable water and sanitation projects that can attract financing from governments, development partners, and private investors.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to eligible organisations across Africa, including:

• National and local government institutions.
• Water utilities and public agencies.
• River and lake basin organisations.
• Regional economic communities.
• Non-governmental organisations.
• Other eligible institutions involved in water resources and sanitation development.

Projects should align with national priorities and demonstrate the potential to improve water security, sanitation services, climate resilience, or sector governance. The AWF is particularly interested in projects that can lead to future investment and long-term impact.

What Will Successful Applicants Receive?

Selected organisations may receive:

• Grant funding of up to €1 million per project.
• Technical support during project preparation.
• Assistance in developing investment-ready proposals.
• Increased visibility among development finance institutions and investors.
• Opportunities to mobilise additional funding for implementation.

Rather than funding infrastructure directly, the programme helps organisations complete the critical preparation work needed to unlock much larger investments in the future.

Deadline and Application Process

Applications for the AWF Africa’s Water and Sanitation Investment Pipeline Programme 2026 are now open.

Application Deadline: 10 September 2026. Eligible organisations must submit a proposal outlining the project, its expected impact, and how the requested grant will help prepare it for future investment.

Official Application Portal:https://www.africanwaterfacility.org/en

For organisations working to improve access to clean water and sanitation across Africa, the AWF Africa’s Water and Sanitation Investment Pipeline Programme 2026 offers more than funding. It provides the technical and financial support needed to transform strong project ideas into investment-ready proposals that can attract large-scale financing and deliver lasting benefits to communities across the continent.

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