African Water Facility (AWF) 2026 Call for Proposals: Apply for Up to EUR 1 Million in Grant Funding to Strengthen Africa’s Water and Sanitation Investment Pipeline

The African Water Facility (AWF) has officially launched its 2026 Call for Proposals (CfP) under the AWF 2026–2030 Strategy, providing an exciting funding opportunity for eligible institutions across Africa to develop high-impact, investment-ready water and sanitation projects.The initiative seeks to strengthen Africa’s water and sanitation investment pipeline by supporting innovative projects capable of attracting downstream financing while improving access to safe water, enhancing sanitation services, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable and inclusive development. Administered by the African Development Bank (AfDB) on behalf of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), the African Water Facility continues to play a critical role in transforming project concepts into bankable investments that deliver lasting benefits to communities across the continent.

Organizations involved in water security, sanitation, public infrastructure, and institutional development are encouraged to submit concept notes before the application deadline.

About the African Water Facility (AWF)

The African Water Facility is a specialized initiative established by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and administered by the African Development Bank Group.

Its mission is to mobilize investments that improve water security and sanitation services throughout Africa by supporting the preparation of quality projects that are attractive to investors and development partners.

Rather than financing large-scale infrastructure directly, the Facility focuses on helping organizations prepare strong, investment-ready projects capable of attracting significant future financing from governments, development finance institutions, and private investors.

Through the 2026–2030 Strategy, AWF aims to accelerate progress toward sustainable water management while contributing to climate resilience and improved livelihoods across the continent.

Purpose of the 2026 Call for Proposals

The 2026 Call for Proposals is designed to build a stronger pipeline of bankable water and sanitation projects throughout Africa.

The initiative seeks projects that can:

• Accelerate access to investment financing.
• Improve water and sanitation services.
• Strengthen climate resilience.
• Promote sustainable infrastructure development.
• Support inclusive economic growth.
• Enhance institutional capacity.
• Generate long-term development impact.
• Attract downstream public and private investment.

Successful projects will contribute to transforming innovative project concepts into investment-ready operations capable of securing additional financing.

Funding Available

The African Water Facility will provide grant financing to selected projects.

AWF Contribution

Each successful project may receive:

• Grant funding of up to EUR 1 million.

The funding is intended to support project preparation activities that increase investment readiness and improve the likelihood of securing larger financing for implementation.

Priority Areas

The 2026 Call for Proposals focuses on six strategic priority areas.

1. Project Preparation and Investment Readiness

Projects that strengthen technical, financial, environmental, and institutional preparation to make investments bankable.

2. Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Systems

Projects that improve the resilience of water supply and sanitation infrastructure against climate-related risks such as droughts, floods, and changing weather patterns.

3. Innovative Financing and Catalytic Investments

Initiatives that introduce innovative financial approaches capable of mobilizing additional investment from development partners and the private sector.

4. Governance and Institutional Strengthening

Projects that improve governance systems, institutional effectiveness, planning, management, and regulatory capacity within the water and sanitation sector.

5. Inclusive and Sustainable Service Delivery

Projects designed to expand equitable access to quality water and sanitation services while ensuring long-term sustainability.

6. Sanitation Sector Transformation

Innovative initiatives that improve sanitation infrastructure, services, planning, and investment to address sanitation challenges across Africa.

Who Should Apply?

The Call for Proposals welcomes applications from eligible institutions operating within Africa, including:

• Regional Member Countries (RMCs)
• Public institutions
• Water utilities
• River basin organizations
• Other eligible entities involved in water and sanitation development

Organizations with strong project concepts that can be developed into investment-ready operations are encouraged to apply.

Geographic Scope

The funding opportunity is exclusively focused on projects implemented within Africa.

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed project contributes to improving water security and sanitation outcomes on the continent.

Why Apply?

Participating organizations can benefit from several advantages, including:

• Access to grant financing of up to EUR 1 million.
• Support in preparing investment-ready projects.
• Increased opportunities to mobilize larger downstream financing.
• Strengthened institutional and technical capacity.
• Improved project bankability.
• Enhanced climate resilience.
• Better water and sanitation service delivery.
• Contribution to sustainable and inclusive development across Africa.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents:

• Completed Concept Note.
• Official AWF Concept Note Template.
• Supporting documentation required under the Call for Proposals.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the complete Call for Proposals before preparing their submissions.

How to Apply

To submit a proposal, applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1

Review the full 2026 Call for Proposals to understand the eligibility requirements, funding priorities, and evaluation criteria.

Step 2

Download the official Concept Note Template.

Step 3

Prepare a high-quality concept note that clearly demonstrates:

• Project objectives.
• Expected development impact.
• Investment readiness.
• Alignment with AWF priority areas.
• Potential to mobilize downstream financing.

Step 4

Submit the completed Concept Note before the application deadline to:

African Water Facility (AWF), African Development Bank Group

Email:
africanwaterfacility@afdb.org

CC:

• Mr. Samuel Blazyk, Officer in Charge, AWF
• Ms. Hellen Njiwa, Principal Monitoring, Evaluation and Project Portfolio Management Officer
• Ms. Diane Arjoon, Principal Rural Water Security Officer

Important Funding Information

Funding Type

Grant Financing

Maximum Grant Amount

Up to EUR 1 million per project.

Geographic Coverage

Africa

Eligible Applicants

Regional Member Countries, public institutions, utilities, basin organizations, and other eligible entities.

Learn more about the opportunity HERE

Application Deadline

Deadline: 10 September 2026

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their concept notes early to allow sufficient time for developing strong, investment-ready proposals before submission.

Conclusion

The African Water Facility 2026 Call for Proposals presents an outstanding opportunity for African governments, public institutions, utilities, and water sector organizations to secure grant funding that transforms promising project ideas into bankable investments. By supporting project preparation, climate resilience, governance reforms, innovative financing, and sustainable service delivery, the Facility is helping build a stronger pipeline of water and sanitation investments across Africa. Eligible organizations with innovative, high-impact project concepts should take advantage of this opportunity to access up to EUR 1 million in grant financing and contribute to improving water security, sanitation services, and sustainable development across the continent. Interested applicants should review the Call for Proposals, prepare a compelling Concept Note, and submit their application before 10 September 2026.

For more GRANTS OPPORTUNITY click HERE