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.
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