African CSOs Oppose Water Privatisation, Urge Governments to Fund Public, Climate-Resilient Water Systems
Story: written by zara october 15,2025
Civil society organisations (CSOs) across Africa, under the banner of the Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC), have strongly opposed the ongoing push for water privatisation on the continent. The groups called on African governments to prioritise investment in publicly owned, climate-resilient water infrastructure that guarantees equitable access to clean water for all citizens.
The demand was made at the launch of the 5th Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation, themed “Public Water for Climate Resilience.” The event, held at the headquarters of the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) in Lagos, was organised in collaboration with the Africa Make Big Polluters Pay Coalition.
OWORAC — a coalition of CSOs, trade unions, and grassroots networks from over 12 African countries — said the campaign seeks to expose the harmful impacts of privatisation and promote democratically controlled, publicly funded water systems.
Speaking at the event, Sefa Ikpa, Programme Officer for CAPPA’s Water Campaign, emphasised that water must remain a human right and public good, not a commercial product.
“Water should not be for profit. Yet, millions across Nigeria and Africa still drink from unsafe sources due to poor policies and neglect,” she said.
Ikpa criticised the increasing influence of international financial institutions in promoting water privatisation, warning that such moves deepen inequality and restrict access for low-income communities.
“True climate resilience cannot be achieved through privatisation. It depends on transparent, publicly accountable systems that ensure access for everyone,” she added.
Also speaking, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, reminded participants that the United Nations has recognised safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as fundamental human rights. He warned that the continued privatisation of water systems across Africa poses a serious threat to this right.
“At a time when we need stronger public systems to guarantee universal access, governments are ceding control of water to profit-driven corporations. This must stop,” Oluwafemi said.
The coalition urged African governments to reject corporate control of water and instead strengthen public investments, community participation, and sustainable management practices to combat the growing water and climate crisis.
