Ethiopia Finalizes €75 Million Urban Water and Sanitation Initiative

More than 2.1 million residents across 43 Ethiopian towns now have access to reliable water and upgraded sanitation services following a decade-long, €75 million infrastructure drive. Led by the Ministry of Water and Energy alongside Team Europe partners, the project addresses the mounting pressures of rapid urbanization and aging utility systems.

Editorial·June 23, 2026·reads: 2,501

Ethiopia Finalizes €75 Million Urban Water and Sanitation Initiative

The construction effort spanned eight regions, focusing on both modernization and expansion of distribution networks. Workers installed or upgraded nearly 1,500 kilometres of pipelines and erected 75 water storage reservoirs, with capacities reaching up to 2,000 cubic metres. Beyond storage, the initiative delivered two primary water treatment plants in Metehara and Jinka, supported by 140 new surface and submersible pumps.

International backers, including the European Investment Bank, the French Development Agency, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, provided the funding and technical expertise. State Minister Asfaw Dingamo noted that this collaboration is central to Ethiopia’s broader strategy for utility expansion. Beyond the physical pipes and pumps, the program aimed to fortify the long-term operational capacity of local utilities. According to AFD Country Director Louis-Antoine Souchet, the project establishes a foundation for future development, with ongoing discussions already exploring further support for Ethiopia’s water sector.