Application Deadline: 10 September 2026
The African Water Facility (AWF) has officially opened applications for the 2026 Africa’s Water and Sanitation Investment Pipeline Programme, a major funding opportunity aimed at accelerating water and sanitation infrastructure development across Africa.
Through this call for proposals, eligible institutions can receive up to €1 million in grant funding per project to prepare high-impact water and sanitation investments that can later attract larger-scale financing from governments, development banks, and private investors.
This programme is designed to strengthen Africa’s investment pipeline by supporting project preparation activities that improve access to safe water, sanitation services, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
African Water Facility Programme Overview
- Programme: Africa’s Water and Sanitation Investment Pipeline Programme 2026
- Funding Organization: African Water Facility (AWF)
- Funding Type: Grant
- Grant Amount: Up to €1 million per project
- Eligible Region: African countries
What the African Water Facility Programme Supports
AWF is seeking proposals that help prepare bankable water and sanitation projects. The funding may support activities such as:
- Feasibility studies
- Engineering and technical designs
- Environmental and social impact assessments
- Financial and economic analyses
- Institutional and governance studies
- Climate resilience assessments
- Investment structuring and preparation for financing
The goal is to ensure that promising projects are technically sound, financially viable, and ready to secure implementation funding.
Funding Benefits
Successful applicants may receive:
- Up to €1 million in grant funding
- Technical support during project preparation
- Improved readiness for investment financing
- Greater visibility among development finance institutions and investors
- Support for climate-resilient and sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure
This funding is particularly valuable for institutions that have strong project ideas but need resources to complete the preparation stage before construction financing can be mobilized.
Read: How to Write a Winning Grant Proposal
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants generally include:
- National government ministries and agencies
- Public utilities and water authorities
- Municipal and local government entities
- River basin organizations
- Regional institutions
- Other public-sector entities involved in water and sanitation development
Applicants should review the official call document for detailed eligibility requirements and country-specific conditions.
Priority Areas
Projects that contribute to the following areas are especially encouraged:
- Urban water supply
- Rural water access
- Sanitation and wastewater management
- Climate-resilient water infrastructure
- Integrated water resources management
- Sustainable and inclusive service delivery
- Projects with strong social, environmental, and economic impact
Selection Criteria
Proposals are expected to be assessed based on:
- Development impact
- Technical quality
- Financial viability
- Climate resilience
- Environmental and social sustainability
- Institutional capacity
- Potential to attract future investment financing
Projects with clear implementation pathways and strong investment potential are likely to be more competitive.
How to Apply
Interested organizations should submit their proposals through the official African Water Facility AWF application portal.
Apply here: AWF 2026 Application Page
Prepare all required documents well before the deadline, as late submissions are typically not accepted.
Important Date
- Application Deadline: 10 September 2026
Early submission is recommended to avoid technical or administrative delays.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Africa faces significant water and sanitation infrastructure gaps, and many projects struggle to reach the financing stage because preparation costs are high. The AWF Investment Pipeline Programme addresses this challenge by funding the critical early-stage work needed to transform project concepts into investment-ready opportunities.
For public institutions seeking to expand access to safe water and sanitation services, this programme offers a rare opportunity to secure substantial preparation funding while positioning projects for future large-scale financing.
