The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a €111.5 million financing package to modernise and improve the drinking water network in Greater Tunis, an urban area serving nearly 2.7 million people. The investment aims to secure drinking water supply, reduce technical losses across the system, and optimise the energy performance of the distribution network.
According to Malinne Blomberg, the Bank’s Country Manager and Deputy Director General for North Africa, the project will significantly strengthen the long-term performance of the Greater Tunis water network. It is expected to improve service quality for citizens, reduce the energy costs of the water sector, make better use of existing infrastructure, and reinforce the system against climate variability.
The operation supports Tunisia’s national priority of upgrading public drinking water services. It will equip the national water utility, SONEDE, with modern infrastructure, tools, and technical capacities designed to cut water losses, upgrade networks, and make water facilities more resilient to climate pressures and growing population demands.
Key components of the project include renewing around 150 kilometres of water pipelines to curb physical losses. It will also modernise distribution, pumping, and storage facilities using high-performance, energy-efficient equipment. Digital supervision and control technologies will be introduced to strengthen real-time network monitoring, and SONEDE will benefit from technical capacity development and upgraded management systems.
This investment addresses two critical needs: ensuring water security for the capital region and reducing the sector’s energy footprint. Expected outcomes include reduced water losses, better service continuity, lower operational costs, and greater ability to anticipate climate-related challenges.
Tarek Bouhlel, Director General for African Cooperation at the Ministry of Economy and Planning, highlighted that modernising one of Tunisia’s most vital water networks marks a major step toward national water resilience and energy efficiency. He emphasised that the support from the African Development Bank reinforces Tunisia’s capacity to deliver reliable and sustainable services to the people of Greater Tunis.
The project aligns fully with Tunisia’s goals for energy transition, sustainable water resource management, and modernisation of public infrastructure. Through this new financing, the African Development Bank reiterates its commitment to helping Tunisia strengthen essential services, secure its drinking water supply, and enhance the quality of life for its population.
