Addis Ababa, February 14, 2026 (FMC) – The African Union has adopted “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063” as the Theme of the Year 2026. The decision was made during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The theme underscores the critical role of water and sanitation in advancing Africa’s development agenda. It highlights sustainable water management as a cornerstone for economic growth, job creation, industrialization, food security, and climate resilience.
The African Union’s Africa Water Vision 2026 aims for equitable and sustainable management of water resources to promote poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, regional cooperation, and environmental protection. The initiative is aligned with Agenda 2063, which envisions an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa led by its citizens.
The AU emphasized that climate change, including recurring droughts and floods, has made sustainable water management more urgent than ever. Safe water and sanitation remain key to public health, with waterborne diseases continuing to be a leading cause of mortality across the continent. Member states, civil society, and the private sector are encouraged to work together and involve local communities in planning and implementing water and sanitation projects to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability.
The theme also calls for regional cooperation in managing transboundary water resources and advancing integrated approaches, including the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus. Africa’s rivers and lakes, which cross multiple national borders, require innovative and collaborative solutions to ensure equitable access.
The AU plans to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy for 2026, emphasizing the inclusion of youth, women, and marginalized communities. The initiative seeks to raise awareness of water’s vital role in economic productivity, with three out of four jobs dependent on water and poor hygiene and sanitation affecting up to 80% of Africa’s labor force productivity. By addressing water scarcity and sanitation challenges, the AU aims to stimulate economic growth, create decent jobs, and support a greener, climate-resilient economy.