13 juli 2026
Burundi is officieel gestart met een hygiënisch waterproject van 90 miljoen dollar, onder cofinanciering van de Wereldbank en de Burundese overheid.
Het begin is onlangs nabij Lake Tanganyika in het Mugere District gemaakt, blijkt uit diverse bronnen. De Burundese president, Evariste Ndayishimiye, en de vice president voor Oost- en Zuid Afrika van de Wereldbank, Ndiame Diop, waren bij de start aanwezig.
Uit eerdere berichten van de Wereldbank hierover komt de volgende informatie:
World Bank Group Helps Expand Access to Clean Water and Sanitation for Healthy Communities in Burundi
A new drinking water treatment plant in Bujumbura will soon add 60,000 m³ of clean water per day to the city’s supply, improving reliable access for families and businesses.
The newly approved Water Supply and Sanitation Access Project (PAEPA) will expand clean water access to 615,000 people nationwide, including approximately 490,000 residents of Bujumbura who will receive safe and reliable water supply directly to their homes. The project will also deliver basic sanitation services to 55,000 people living in rural areas, helping reduce waterborne diseases and improve community health.
“Access to clean water and sanitation is fundamental for any country’s development. Recognizing this essential need, the Water Supply and Sanitation Access Project (PAEPA) in Burundi is being implemented through a Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach (MPA), which enables regional knowledge sharing,” said Babacar Faye, World Bank Group Country Manager for Burundi.
Burundi continues to face significant challenges in water and sanitation access, especially in underserved rural areas, while climate change is putting pressure on existing, fragile infrastructure. The government’s ongoing reforms aim to transform the sector, open the door to greater private-sector participation, and mobilize substantial future investments.
To support these goals, the World Bank Group has approved PAEPA, financed through a $80 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA)*. This operation marks the Bank’s first water and sanitation engagement in Burundi in over 15 years, signaling a renewed commitment to improving essential services nationwide.
Demonstrating strong ownership and leadership, the Government of Burundi is contributing $10 million in counterpart funding to invest in resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
Beyond infrastructure, the project will help improve the Water and Electricity Production and Distribution Authority’s (REGIDESO) performance, reduce water losses, and support private operators delivering services in rural communities. It will also contribute to long-term water security through a transboundary aquifer management plan.
This new operation supports Burundi’s development priorities and aligns with the World Bank’s mission to build climate-resilient infrastructure while strengthening governance, human capital, and job creation in the WASH sector.