On 6 August 2025, the Government of the Central African Republic, in partnership with the African Development Bank, will inaugurate new water and sanitation infrastructure developed under the First Drinking Water and Sanitation Sub-Programme (PSEPA). The event will take place in Bangui and surrounding rural areas, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance essential infrastructure and public service delivery across the country.
The initiative is designed to expand sustainable access to potable water in urban and peri-urban areas by increasing water production, storage, and distribution capacity. It supports the country’s broader national strategy to improve living conditions and build resilience against climate change.
Among the newly inaugurated facilities is a raw water pumping station that boosts capacity from 1,500 m³/h to 2,500 m³/h. The station is equipped with modern electric pump units, an 800 kVA transformer, and an 850 kVA generator to ensure uninterrupted water production. A floating dewatering station with a year-round pumping capacity of 1,500 m³/h and a 400-metre, 800 mm HDPE connection pipe has also been constructed.
To modernize the existing infrastructure, outdated asbestos-cement pipes have been replaced with two 700 mm ductile iron discharge lines, extending over 1,000 metres. Additionally, new boreholes have been commissioned in peri-urban and rural areas within the Mambéré Kadéi, Nana Mambéré, and Ouham prefectures. These are supported by training programs for local technicians to ensure long-term maintenance and operational sustainability.
This infrastructure investment will significantly improve access to safe drinking water for over 1.2 million people in Bangui, Berberati, Bouar, Bossangoa, and surrounding communities. The inauguration underscores the commitment of both the African Development Bank and the Central African Republic to strengthening basic services and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable populations to water-related challenges.
