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 diseases linked to poor sanitation, noting they claim hundreds of thousands of lives yearly, particularly among children under five. It added that weak systems also keep children out of school and limit adults’ productivity.
The challenges are being worsened by rapid urbanisation, poverty, and climate change impacts such as flooding, drought, and rising sea levels, which place fragile sanitation systems under severe strain.
The report also stressed that climate-resilient sanitation systems could reduce global methane emissions by up to 10% while improving water reliability. It cited examples from India and Brazil showing how school sanitation facilities boost enrolment—especially for adolescent girls—and improve education outcomes.
The Bank recommended:
- Prioritising sanitation in policy and funding decisions.
- Building inclusive, climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in urban settlements.
- Supporting innovation, data collection, and workforce training.
- Encouraging circular approaches that recycle waste into energy and clean water.
“Achieving climate-resilient urban sanitation is possible—action must start now. Together, governments, service providers, businesses, and communities can build sanitation systems that protect people, prosperity, and our planet,” the report concluded.
About the author
Chad deports Nigerians fleeing jihadist violence
Chad has arrested and deported hundreds of Nigerians who fled jihadist violence in the Lake Chad region and sought safety in its territory, Nigerian and humanitarian sources say. Many of those affected are from states in northern Nigeria that have endured years of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups. According to Nigerian officials in Borno State, the Chadian authorities recently rounded up irregular Nigerian migrants in several towns and transported them to the border for return to Nigeria. Local sources say some of those detained had lived in Chad for years after fleeing earlier waves of insurgent attacks and had been surviving through informal work and begging. Humanitarian agencies report that thousands of Nigerians remain displaced around the Lake Chad Basin because of ongoing insecurity and repeated attacks by jihadist groups. Many crossed into neighbouring Chad, Niger and […]
Ghana pulls out of US aid talks over data demand
Ghana has withdrawn from talks on a new United States health aid deal after objecting to US demands for access to sensitive personal health data. The move is a fresh setback for President Donald Trump’s push to link parts of US foreign aid to wider data sharing agreements with partner countries. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the proposed bilateral agreement would have provided about 109 million dollars in US health assistance to Ghana over five years. In return, Ghana would have been required to grant the US extensive access to its national health data systems, including real time information on disease trends and other patient level records. The government of President John Dramani Mahama decided that the conditions posed serious risks to privacy and national security and could breach Ghana’s data protection and health laws. After months […]
Ukraine blasts Israel over grain ‘stolen’ by Russia
Ukraine has sharply criticised Israel over shipments of grain that Kyiv says were stolen by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories and delivered to Israeli ports. Ukrainian officials accuse Israel of ignoring repeated warnings and allowing vessels carrying the disputed cargo to dock and unload. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said Ukraine had summoned the Israeli ambassador to Kyiv to deliver a formal protest note. He warned that Israel’s actions risk damaging bilateral ties and could trigger diplomatic and legal steps if the latest ship is allowed to offload its cargo. According to Ukrainian and international media reports, at least one Russian bulk carrier previously docked in the Israeli port of Haifa with nearly 44,000 tonnes of wheat that Ukraine says was taken from Russian occupied regions. Investigations by journalists have suggested that several shipments of grain from occupied areas have already […]
US reviewing latest Iran proposal, says talks continue
The United States says it is carefully examining a new proposal from Iran aimed at breaking the deadlock over the ongoing war and tensions in the Gulf. Officials in Washington say they are still reviewing the details and will consult allies before taking a position. Iranian officials have outlined an offer that focuses first on ending the conflict and easing restrictions on vital shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. Under the proposal, discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme would come later, after a ceasefire and security guarantees are in place. This approach does not fully match the public stance of the United States, which insists that nuclear issues must be addressed from the start of any broader agreement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested that Tehran may be trying to gain time, saying Washington will not allow Iran […]
King Charles to urge Trump on unity with Britain
King Charles III will use his state visit to the United States to call on President Donald Trump to work more closely with Britain, as both countries face strained relations and global tensions. The King is expected to stress that the historic bond between the two nations has survived many challenges and must remain strong in the future. Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive in Washington for a four day state visit that includes a full ceremonial welcome at the White House, private talks with Trump and a rare address to a joint session of the US Congress. It will be only the second time a British monarch has addressed Congress, highlighting the importance of the trip. Relations between the US and UK have cooled in recent years, as Trump has pushed a more inward looking approach and clashed with […]
Actor Vitalis Ndubuisi warns against oversharing personal struggles
Veteran Nollywood actor Vitalis Ndubuisi has urged people to be more careful about how much they share about their personal struggles.He advised that not everyone needs to know the details of one’s pain, failures or regrets. In a reflective message that has been widely shared online, Ndubuisi said one of the biggest lessons he has learned in life is to stop telling people everything.According to him, some people may appear to listen, but they do not always care, understand or wish others well. The actor explained that constantly talking about one’s problems can sometimes make things worse.He warned that personal stories can be twisted, mocked or used against a person, especially in moments of conflict or envy. Ndubuisi encouraged people to build a small circle of truly trusted friends, mentors or professionals instead of running to the public with every […]
Related
Chad deports Nigerians fleeing jihadist violence
Chad has arrested and deported hundreds of Nigerians who fled jihadist violence in the Lake Chad region and sought safety in its territory, Nigerian and humanitarian sources say. Many of those affected are from states in northern Nigeria that have endured years of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups. According to Nigerian officials in Borno State, the Chadian authorities recently rounded up irregular Nigerian migrants in several towns and transported them to the border for return to Nigeria. Local sources say some of those detained had lived in Chad for years after fleeing earlier waves of insurgent attacks and had been surviving through informal work and begging. Humanitarian agencies report that thousands of Nigerians remain displaced around the Lake Chad Basin because of ongoing insecurity and repeated attacks by jihadist groups. Many crossed into neighbouring Chad, Niger and […]
Ghana pulls out of US aid talks over data demand
Ghana has withdrawn from talks on a new United States health aid deal after objecting to US demands for access to sensitive personal health data. The move is a fresh setback for President Donald Trump’s push to link parts of US foreign aid to wider data sharing agreements with partner countries. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the proposed bilateral agreement would have provided about 109 million dollars in US health assistance to Ghana over five years. In return, Ghana would have been required to grant the US extensive access to its national health data systems, including real time information on disease trends and other patient level records. The government of President John Dramani Mahama decided that the conditions posed serious risks to privacy and national security and could breach Ghana’s data protection and health laws. After months […]
Mali: Fresh clashes erupt between Tuareg rebels, government forces in Kidal
Fresh fighting has broken out in the strategic northern Malian city of Kidal between Tuareg rebels and government forces backed by Russian mercenaries. Tuareg rebels from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) said clashes resumed on Sunday as they tried to “drive out the last Russian fighters” who had taken refuge in a military camp in the city. A local elected official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that residents heard sustained gunfire as Malian troops, Russian personnel and Tuareg fighters exchanged shots. Kidal, a historic Tuareg stronghold, was retaken by the Malian army in November 2023 with support from Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group, ending more than a decade of de facto rebel control. The FLA now claims to have seized the city again and says it has also captured positions in the northern Gao region. The renewed clashes follow a […]
Ghana summons South Africa’s envoy over ‘xenophobic incidents’
Ghana has summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner in Accra over what it describes as a series of “xenophobic incidents” targeting Ghanaian nationals. In a statement issued on Thursday, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa raised concerns after videos emerged online showing Ghanaians being harassed in parts of South Africa. The ministry cited an incident in KwaZulu Natal where a Ghanaian legal resident was confronted and told to leave South Africa and “fix his country.” The statement warned of “escalating tensions” and advised Ghanaian citizens in affected areas to remain indoors for their safety where necessary. It noted that recent anti migrant protests and intimidation had heightened fears among foreign nationals. During his meeting with South Africa’s envoy Thando Dalamba, Ablakwa recalled Ghana’s historic support for the anti apartheid struggle and stressed that unprovoked harassment […]
Africa Technology Expo returns to Lagos, expands third edition to two day format
The Africa Technology Expo (ATE) will return to Lagos for its third edition with organisers confirming an expanded two day, enterprise focused format scheduled for June 26 and 27, 2026. Often described by participants as the “CES of Africa,” the event will bring together decision makers, senior executives, regulators and technology professionals to explore opportunities in the continent’s fast evolving digital economy. Organisers say previous editions of the Expo facilitated an estimated 198 million dollars in partnerships, investment discussions and memoranda of understanding across technology and infrastructure projects. The platform was created to connect Africa’s emerging hardware and digital infrastructure ecosystem with global markets and has grown into a meeting point for conversations around robotics, connectivity and enterprise innovation. Speaking ahead of the 2026 edition, ATE convener Nnaemeka Clinton said the decision to expand to two days reflects both the […]
Ibrahim Traoré accueille le président de l’UA Évariste Ndayishimiye à Ouagadougou
Le Président du Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, a accueilli ce lundi 20 avril 2026 au matin, à l’aéroport international de Ouagadougou, le Président en exercice de l’Union africaine, Évariste Ndayishimiye. Cette visite officielle s’inscrit dans le cadre des relations diplomatiques entre les États africains et les institutions continentales. Des échanges avec la Confédération AES Au cours de son séjour, le chef de l’État burundais, également président en exercice de l’UA, aura des échanges avec Ibrahim Traoré en sa qualité de Président de la Confédération des États du Sahel (AES). Ces discussions devraient porter sur des enjeux politiques, sécuritaires et de coopération régionale. Visites d’infrastructures à Ouagadougou Le programme de la visite prévoit également des déplacements sur plusieurs infrastructures socio-économiques dans la capitale, Ouagadougou. Ces visites visent à mettre en lumière les initiatives de développement en cours dans le pays. Une visite […]