Call for Proposals: Water and Sanitation Projects 2026 (Africa)

The African Water Facility (AWF) has launched its 2026 Call for Proposals to support investment-oriented water and sanitation projects across Africa. Under the AWF 2026–2030 Strategy, eligible organizations can apply for grant funding of up to €1 million to develop climate-resilient, investment-ready, and sustainable water and sanitation initiatives that attract future financing and improve service delivery.

African Water Facility Call for Proposals 2026

The African Water Facility (AWF) is inviting applications for its 2026 Call for Proposals, a major funding initiative designed to strengthen Africa’s water and sanitation sectors through investment-ready projects.

The call aims to help governments, utilities, regional organizations, and other eligible institutions prepare high-quality projects capable of attracting additional public and private investment. The programme focuses on improving water security, expanding sanitation services, strengthening governance, promoting climate resilience, and increasing access to sustainable financing.

Through grant funding of up to €1 million per project, AWF seeks to build a stronger pipeline of bankable infrastructure and service delivery projects across the continent.

What Is the African Water Facility 2026 Call for Proposals?

The African Water Facility 2026 Call for Proposals is a competitive grant programme supporting the preparation and development of investment-ready projects in the water and sanitation sector.

Rather than financing large-scale infrastructure construction directly, the programme focuses on helping eligible organizations prepare technically sound, financially viable, and investment-ready projects that can secure future financing from development banks, governments, private investors, and other funding partners.

The initiative forms part of the AWF 2026–2030 Strategy, which emphasizes sustainable development, climate resilience, innovation, and inclusive access to water and sanitation services across Africa.

Programme Overview

Africa continues to face significant challenges related to water security, sanitation, climate change, and infrastructure financing.

The African Water Facility supports early-stage project preparation by providing technical and financial assistance that enables institutions to develop high-quality investment proposals capable of attracting downstream funding.

The programme encourages projects that strengthen institutional capacity, improve governance, expand sustainable service delivery, and promote innovative financing mechanisms.

By supporting project preparation rather than only implementation, AWF helps create a stronger pipeline of bankable projects that contribute to long-term sector development.

Objectives of the Programme

The programme seeks to strengthen Africa’s water and sanitation sectors through investment-oriented project development.

Its objectives include:

• Prepare investment-ready water and sanitation projects.
• Strengthen the pipeline of bankable projects.
• Improve access to downstream financing.
• Promote climate-resilient water infrastructure.
• Strengthen sanitation systems.
• Improve governance and institutional capacity.
• Encourage innovative financing models.
• Support catalytic investments.
• Promote inclusive service delivery.
• Strengthen regional cooperation.
• Advance gender equality and social inclusion (GESI).
• Increase private sector participation.

Key Focus Areas

Projects may address one or more of the following priority areas:

• Project preparation
• Investment readiness
• Water supply
• Sanitation services
• Climate resilience
• Water security
• Innovative financing
• Catalytic investment
• Governance reform
• Institutional strengthening
• Service delivery improvement
• Sanitation transformation
• Bankable infrastructure projects
• Technical assistance
• Financial preparation
• Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)
• Private sector participation
• Regional water cooperation
• Basin management
• Sustainable water infrastructure

Why This Call Matters

The programme addresses one of the biggest barriers to infrastructure development in Africa: the shortage of investment-ready projects.

Strengthening Project Pipelines

Many water and sanitation projects fail to secure financing because they are insufficiently prepared. AWF helps bridge this gap by funding project preparation.

Improving Climate Resilience

The programme supports projects that strengthen water systems against climate-related risks such as droughts, floods, and changing rainfall patterns.

Expanding Access to Finance

Investment-ready projects are better positioned to attract funding from development finance institutions, governments, and private investors.

Promoting Inclusive Development

The initiative encourages projects that improve access to safe water and sanitation while advancing gender equality and social inclusion.

Supporting Long-Term Sector Reform

Institutional strengthening and governance improvements contribute to more effective and sustainable water service delivery.

Funding Information

Maximum Grant Amount

Each selected project may receive:

• Up to €1 million

Funding is provided as grant financing to support project preparation and investment-readiness activities.

Eligible Activities

Depending on project design, funding may support activities such as:

• Feasibility studies
• Technical assessments
• Project preparation
• Investment planning
• Climate risk assessments
• Institutional strengthening
• Governance improvements
• Financial modelling
• Business planning
• Environmental and social assessments
• Stakeholder engagement
• Capacity building
• Innovative financing design
• Preparation of investment documentation

Projects should contribute to developing investment-ready operations capable of attracting downstream financing.

Who Is Eligible?

The call is open to eligible institutions across Africa.

Eligible applicants include:

• Regional Member Countries (RMCs).
• Public institutions.
• Water sector implementing agencies.
• Sanitation sector implementing agencies.
• Public utilities.
• Regional organizations.
• Transboundary organizations.
• River basin organizations.
• Lake basin organizations.
• Groundwater basin organizations.
• Other eligible entities in accordance with AWF operational policies and procedures.

Applicants should review the official eligibility requirements before preparing a proposal.

How the Programme Works

The funding process generally follows several stages.

Step 1: Review the Call for Proposals

Applicants review the eligibility criteria, programme priorities, and funding requirements.

Step 2: Develop a Project Concept

Prepare an investment-oriented proposal describing:

• Development challenge.
• Proposed solution.
• Expected outcomes.
• Climate resilience.
• Financing strategy.

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documentation

Compile all technical, financial, and institutional information required by the application.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Applications must be submitted according to the official AWF Call for Proposals guidelines.

Step 5: Technical Evaluation

Eligible proposals are assessed for quality, innovation, feasibility, investment readiness, and expected development impact.

Step 6: Grant Award

Successful applicants receive grant financing to prepare investment-ready projects.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your institution qualifies under AWF eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Identify a High-Impact Project

Develop a project that addresses critical water or sanitation challenges while demonstrating strong investment potential.

Step 3: Prepare the Proposal

Include:

• Project objectives.
• Technical approach.
• Expected development impact.
• Climate resilience measures.
• Financing strategy.
• Budget.
• Implementation plan.

Step 4: Gather Required Documents

Prepare all supporting documentation requested in the Call for Proposals.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Complete the application before the official submission deadline following AWF procedures.

Proposal Assessment

Applications are generally evaluated based on:

• Alignment with programme priorities.
• Investment readiness.
• Technical quality.
• Climate resilience.
• Innovation.
• Institutional capacity.
• Financial viability.
• Governance strengthening.
• Gender equality and social inclusion.
• Potential to mobilize downstream investment.
• Sustainability.
• Expected development impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Weak investment strategies.
• Poor climate resilience planning.
• Insufficient governance components.
• Unrealistic budgets.
• Weak financial justification.
• Limited implementation capacity.
• Failing to demonstrate investment readiness.
• Ignoring gender equality and social inclusion considerations.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

To strengthen your application:

• Clearly explain the development challenge.
• Demonstrate strong investment potential.
• Include climate adaptation measures.
• Present realistic implementation plans.
• Explain how downstream financing will be mobilized.
• Include measurable outcomes.
• Build strong institutional partnerships.
• Prepare a detailed and justified budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the African Water Facility 2026 Call for Proposals?

It is a competitive grant programme that supports the preparation of investment-ready water and sanitation projects across Africa.

2. How much funding is available?

Selected projects may receive grant financing of up to €1 million.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include Regional Member Countries, public institutions, water and sanitation implementing agencies, utilities, regional organizations, basin organizations, and other entities eligible under AWF operational policies.

4. What kinds of projects are supported?

The programme supports project preparation, climate-resilient water and sanitation systems, governance reforms, innovative financing, institutional strengthening, sanitation transformation, and other investment-oriented initiatives.

5. Does the programme finance infrastructure construction?

The primary focus is on project preparation and investment readiness, enabling projects to secure future financing for implementation.

6. What are the programme’s main priorities?

Priority areas include investment readiness, climate resilience, governance, innovative financing, sustainable service delivery, gender equality and social inclusion, and private sector participation.

7. What makes a strong proposal?

Strong proposals clearly demonstrate technical quality, investment potential, climate resilience, institutional capacity, financial sustainability, and the ability to attract downstream investments.

Conclusion

The African Water Facility Call for Proposals 2026 offers an important opportunity for governments, public institutions, utilities, basin organizations, and regional entities to prepare high-impact water and sanitation projects capable of attracting substantial future investment. Through grant financing of up to €1 million, the programme supports project preparation, institutional strengthening, climate resilience, innovative financing, and inclusive service delivery across Africa.

Organizations seeking to improve water security, sanitation infrastructure, and sector governance should develop investment-ready proposals that demonstrate strong technical design, sustainable financing strategies, measurable development outcomes, and alignment with the objectives of the AWF 2026–2030 Strategy. Well-prepared applications have the potential to unlock significant downstream financing and contribute to long-term, sustainable improvements in Africa’s water and sanitation sectors.