African leaders and water experts have gathered in Chad for the African Water Forum, calling for urgent action to address the continent’s worsening water challenges.
The two-day forum, which opened in N’Djamena on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, is being held under the theme “From Vision to Action” and focuses on water governance, infrastructure financing and regional cooperation. Leaders from Chad, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mauritania and Benin attended the opening ceremony.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno warned that Africa was facing an unprecedented water crisis, noting that more than 400 million Africans still lack access to safe drinking water. He also highlighted declining water storage capacity, low irrigation levels and the potential impact of climate change on economic growth.
Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema said ensuring universal access to clean drinking water was essential for Africa’s development, public health and human dignity.