From 2006 to 2021, the AWF mobilised approximately €184 million from 17 bilateral and multilateral financial institutions, foundations and African governments.
The African Water Facility (AWF) provides grants and expert technical assistance to implement innovative water projects and raise investment for water projects throughout Africa.
Since its inception, the AWF has been outstanding in providing grants for project preparation with measures to strengthen water governance and water knowledge management. Overall, the Facility's action is to support projects designed to increase water, energy and food security, enhance regional cooperation and promote socio-economic growth in Africa.
Under the 2017-2025 Strategy, the AWF will focus its activities and operations around three strategic priority areas, which together provide a comprehensive approach to project preparation that creates a favourable investment climate, develops sustainable infrastructure and promotes the financing of investments until they are completed.
Algeria, Australia, Austria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Denmark, France, Nigeria, Norway, United Kingdom, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, AFDB, European Commission, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Nordic Development Fund
The Governing Council decides the general policy and direction of the AWF. It is made up of 13 members appointed by AMCOW, donors to the fund, the African Development Bank, the African Union and UN-Water/Africa.
To be eligible for financing under the AWF, proposed activities and projects must typically meet one of our strategic pillars: Project Preparation, Catalytic Investments and Investment Promotion, Water Governance.
Outcomes consistent with priority issues such as Climate Change, Social and Gender Equity and Environmental Protection may also be given priority.
Project criteria:
All the projects financed by the AWF should have clear performance indicators with good expected outcomes and clear targets. In considering a request for financing, due consideration is given to the following criteria:
- Political commitment of the country as demonstrated by a clear indication of the importance accorded to the water sector
- Consistency with national priorities and regional consensus
- Credibility, ownership, and commitment of the beneficiary
- Effectiveness and sustainability of the institutions and investments
- Opportunity for effective implementation
- Good expected outputs with clear indicators and well defined targets
Africa
AWF offers grants of between €50,000 and €5,000,000 to help secure investment for water projects. The African Water Facility is flexible to receive new project funding applications to develop its pipeline.
AWF has developed clear procedures for requesting financial support. All applicants are requested to read the instructions in the AWF Funding Project proposal carefully and submit sufficient documentation of their submitted projects.
Applicants are also requested to first check their eligibility as well as the eligibility of the proposed project.
Download the AWF Funding Project proposal Form
Please send the completed form to the general AWF email address: africanwaterfacility@afdb.org