At N’Djamena African Water Forum: Minister presents Cameroon’s ambitious water security vision.

The high-level gathering was organized under the World Bank’s Water Forward initiative.

Minister Eloundou Essomba outlined Cameroon’s strategy to address persistent challenges related to water access, agriculture, energy production, and governance.

He also called for stronger support from technical and financial partners to help finance the country’s Water Compact, a programme valued at nearly four billion US dollars.

Addressing ministers, development partners, international organisations, and water sector experts from across the continent, the minister described water security as a critical priority for national development and regional resilience.

He expressed gratitude to the government of Chad and the World Bank for convening the forum, which seeks to accelerate solutions to Africa’s growing water challenges.

The minister emphasised that while Cameroon is endowed with significant water resources, access to these resources remains uneven, leaving many communities without reliable drinking water supplies.

According to the Minister, disparities in access are evident between urban and rural areas as well as among different regions of the country. The inequalities, he noted, have far-reaching consequences for public health, economic productivity, and social development.

“Water is not only a basic necessity but also a strategic resource for growth,” he told participants.

The minister explained that inadequate water infrastructure continues to limit agricultural productivity in several parts of Cameroon. 

Despite abundant rainfall during certain seasons, many regions lack sufficient storage and irrigation systems to harness and utilize available water resources effectively.

According to the member of government, in the country’s northern and Sahelian zones, water scarcity poses additional challenges for livestock farming.

Prolonged dry seasons often result in significant losses of cattle and other animals, threatening livelihoods and food security for thousands of households.

Eloundou Essomba also highlighted the close link between water security and energy production. Hydropower accounts for nearly 80 percent of Cameroon’s electricity generation, making the sector particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in water availability.

Declining water levels and reduced river flows around major hydroelectric dams have, in recent years, affected electricity generation capacity.

This has had direct implications for households, businesses, and industries that depend on stable power supplies to support economic activity.

To address these interconnected challenges, government, the minister stated has developed and validated a comprehensive Water Compact that will serve as the country’s strategic framework for achieving long-term water security.

The Compact, he explained outlines a series of commitments and priority actions aimed at strengthening water infrastructure, improving resource management, and enhancing resilience to climate-related risks. The framework also includes a governance component designed to improve institutional performance and service delivery.

The minister acknowledged that governance remains one of the sector’s most pressing concerns, particularly regarding the efficiency of public water services. 

Planned reforms under the Compact seek to strengthen management systems, improve operational performance, and ensure more reliable access to drinking water across the country.

The overall investment required to implement the strategy is estimated at nearly four billion dollars. Government officials report that approximately 30 percent of the financing has already been secured, while negotiations are ongoing to mobilize an additional tranche of funding.

Cameroon, he said is therefore seeking greater engagement from development partners to close the remaining financing gap and accelerate implementation of the programme.

Minister Eloundou Essomba praised the World Bank and the African Development Bank for their continued support, particularly through the Cameroon Water Security Project, SEWASH. The initiative includes the construction of around 100 mini drinking water supply systems in the country’s Sahelian regions and provides support for governance reforms in the sector.

The Minister in his closing remark called for stronger international cooperation to transform Cameroon’s water ambitions into reality. 

He stressed that the success of the Water Compact would not only improve access to safe drinking water but also boost economic growth, strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable development.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3853 of Monday July 20, 2026