In its bids to fairly, sustainably and efficiently manage water on the continent, the African Water Facility (AWF) approved a grant of €1.4 million to Tunisia on 20 June 2016.

This donation will be used to implement the project entitled "Development of the vision and strategy of the water sector by 2050." This project will take an integrated management approach on resources to contribute to the country's socioeconomic development.

A country under the water stress threshold

Most of the Tunisian territory is arid, located between the Mediterranean and the Sahara. With 450 m² of water per year per inhabitant in 2015, the country is under the water stress threshold and the situation may worsen by 2030. Tunisia's conventional water potential is virtually entirely used. It is estimated at 4,766 million cubic meters per year, 55% of which is surface water and 45% coming from underground water tables.

A unique intervention reference

"Three main elements are involved in the project. First, we are developing an outlook, and strategy and action plans for implementation. We will also provide technical assistance. Project management will then be carried out with participation by stakeholders. Our goal is for the strategy of the water sector by 2050 to be a unique intervention reference in Tunisia for all," said Mohamed El Azizi, Director of the African Development Bank's Water and Sanitation Department, where the AWF is hosted.

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The right to water

The 'Water 2050' initiative was initially launched as part of Tunisia's Five-year Socioeconomic Development Plan for 2009-2014. It was put on hold since March 2014 following the sociopolitical upheaval experienced in the country since late 2010. The establishment of new political structures in 2014 with a new roadmap for 'Water 2050' has set the project off again today. Out of the obligations imposed by the new constitution, there is the right to water access for all citizens, the preservation and sustainable management of water, the principle of affirmative action in favor of underprivileged regions as well as decentralization and local governance.

Partners. The total cost of the project is €2,655,000. It will be co-funded by three grants. The AWF's participation is €1,345,000. The German Development Bank KfW will commit to a minimum amount of €950,000 and the German technical cooperation organization GIZ, an amount of €281,000. The Tunisian government will contribute at least €79,000. The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fishing.