Ethiopia has completed the €75 million Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, a major initiative designed to improve access to clean water and sanitation services in urban communities across the country. The programme was implemented by the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia with support from Team Europe partners.
The initiative delivered water infrastructure improvements in 43 towns across eight regions of Ethiopia and is expected to benefit around 2.11 million people. The works included the development of new water sources such as deep groundwater wells and spring developments, along with the construction and rehabilitation of transmission and distribution networks.
Major investments under the programme included nearly 1,500 kilometres of water pipelines and 75 water storage reservoirs with capacities ranging from 50 to 2,000 cubic metres. The programme also supported two conventional water treatment plants in Metehara and Jinka, helping strengthen water supply reliability in participating towns.
Additional infrastructure works included the installation of 79 surface pumps and 61 submersible pumps, as well as water treatment facilities, generator and pump houses, and operational buildings for town water utilities. These investments are intended to help local utilities deliver more reliable and sustainable water services.
The programme was launched more than a decade ago in Addis Ababa and has been supported by several Team Europe partners, including EIB Global, the French Development Agency, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and the European Commission. Their combined investment helped address long-standing challenges related to water scarcity and inadequate sanitation in urban areas.
Ethiopia’s State Minister for Water and Energy, Asfaw Dingamo, said the completed programme forms part of the government’s broader efforts to expand urban water supply and sanitation services with international support. The initiative reflects Ethiopia’s continued focus on improving essential public services for growing urban populations.
EIB Global highlighted the importance of overcoming investment barriers and ensuring that water projects deliver practical benefits for communities. The institution also emphasized climate action and environmental sustainability as key elements in building resilient water infrastructure.
The French Development Agency described the programme as an example of how partnerships can deliver sustainable development results. It also noted that discussions are underway with the Ethiopian government and other partners on preparing a new project to continue supporting the water and sanitation sector.
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation said its contribution included technical expertise and institutional cooperation, helping turn infrastructure investments into reliable services for urban communities. The completion of the programme marks an important milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to improve water access, strengthen local utilities, and expand sustainable sanitation services.
