The African Development Fund, through its Climate Action Window, has approved an additional $8.6 million grant to support the first phase of the Water Sector and Climate Resilience Building Support Programme (PASEREC) in Burundi. This new financing builds on the initial $13.3 million approved in 2023, extending the programme’s duration by another year. The expanded support reflects the Bank’s continued commitment to strengthening Burundi’s resilience to climate change and improving access to clean, reliable water for vulnerable communities.
Running until 2029, PASEREC aims to provide safe drinking water to around 500,000 people in five rural provinces—Bubanza, Cibitoke, Cankuzo, Rutana, and Ruyigi. These regions are among the hardest hit by climate-induced droughts and floods, leaving them particularly vulnerable to water scarcity and recurrent cholera outbreaks. By improving water supply, sanitation, and irrigation infrastructure, the programme seeks to enhance public health, food security, and climate resilience across rural communities.
The project includes the construction of 17 solar-powered water systems, environmentally friendly sanitation facilities, and irrigation schemes to support local food production. In addition to improving water access, PASEREC is expected to generate about 2,700 green jobs, with 80 percent of them reserved for youth and women. These employment opportunities will come from small-scale farming, water system maintenance, and climate-smart agricultural practices, empowering local populations while stimulating rural economies.
Beyond infrastructure, the programme places strong emphasis on community empowerment and gender equality. It will strengthen the capacity of local cooperatives to manage water systems sustainably, while also providing women and young farmers with access to finance, training, and new agricultural opportunities. By promoting inclusive development, PASEREC aims to foster long-term social and economic transformation in rural Burundi.
According to Mecuria Assefaw, Division Manager for Water and Sanitation at the African Development Bank, the project represents a vital investment in dignity, health, and opportunity. She emphasized that access to clean water transforms lives—allowing children to stay in school, giving women more time for income-generating activities, and building resilience within communities.
The programme is co-financed by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) and the Government of Burundi, demonstrating a strong partnership for climate action and inclusive growth. Together, these efforts are expected to improve the well-being of hundreds of thousands of Burundians while advancing the country’s path toward sustainable development and climate resilience.
