On 8 December, the Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved an addendum to the South Sudan Climate Resilient Sanitation and Institutional Support Project. Originally approved on 20 November 2024, the project’s $11 million grant funding will now be sourced from the African Development Fund’s Transition Support Facility.
Poor sanitation in Juba currently contributes to waterborne diseases, river pollution, and unsafe living conditions, particularly in densely populated areas. The project aims to upgrade and expand faecal sludge treatment capacity and strengthen waste management systems across the capital. New sanitation facilities will be constructed in high-density neighbourhoods, including Munuki and Kator, directly benefiting tens of thousands of residents with cleaner surroundings, safer water, improved public health, and reduced healthcare costs.
The sanitation improvements are also expected to mitigate flood risks and lessen environmental stress from contaminated land and water. Public agencies responsible for sanitation will receive training, equipment, and technical assistance to improve planning, operation, and maintenance of services, thereby strengthening institutional capacity.
Beyond urban benefits, the project will create positive ripple effects in surrounding areas. Farmers will gain safer access to treated waste products for agricultural use, while youth will acquire skills through internships and training linked to the project. Construction and operational activities are also expected to generate local job opportunities.
“This project will deliver measurable change for people in Juba by improving sanitation for thousands of households, reducing the spread of disease, and creating safer living conditions in some of the city’s most vulnerable communities,” said Themba Bhebhe, the African Development Bank’s outgoing South Sudan country manager. “By strengthening local institutions, the project will deliver real improvements for families in Juba, building the capacities required to better serve its citizens.”
The initiative aligns with the Bank’s South Sudan Country Strategy Paper, which prioritizes investment in essential infrastructure and support for core state institutions, as well as the recently approved South Sudan Development Plan 2026–2036.
