World Bank: Poor sanitation costs Africa $200bn yearly
The World Bank has revealed that Africa loses an estimated $200 billion annually due to poor sanitation, warning that the crisis is undermining economic growth, public health, and climate resilience across the continent. In its latest report titled “The Global Sanitation Crisis: Pathways for Urgent Action” released on Tuesday, the Bank said nearly two in five people worldwide lack access to safe sanitation, with Africa carrying a disproportionate share of the burden. The study estimated that Africa’s GDP could rise by up to 5% if governments and stakeholders invested adequately in water and sanitation systems. “Every US$1 spent in Africa returns US$7 – adequate funding in the sector could boost GDP by 5 per cent, resulting in an annual economic gain of US$200 billion in Africa alone,” the report stated. The World Bank identified cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid as preventable […]