29th October 2026
Burundi has taken an important step towards advancing climate-resilient water investments following two days of stakeholder consultations in Bujumbura, bringing together more than 40 representatives from government institutions, development partners, financial institutions, academia, civil society and the private sector.
Held as part of the African Union Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Multi-Country Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project, the consultations focused on strengthening project preparation, validating priority water-sector concept notes for potential submission to the GCF, and reviewing Burundi’s National Water Investment Programme (WIP) and its accompanying financial strategy.
Day one focused on reviewing and validating two priority project concept notes selected by Burundi’s National Designated Authority (NDA) and the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock (MINEAGRIE). Participants examined the proposed interventions, assessed their alignment with national priorities and climate adaptation needs, and discussed the institutional arrangements that qualify them for potential GCF financing.
Beyond reviewing the technical content of the proposals, participants examined stakeholder mapping and discussed the roles of institutions that would be involved in developing the projects further.
The second day shifted attention to the broader investment framework, with stakeholders reviewing Burundi’s National Water Investment Programme and its financial strategy. The National Water Investment Programme aims to provide an operational pathway to a strategic, coordinated and costed framework that identifies, prioritises and mobilises investments needed to develop, manage, protect and sustain a country’s water resources and water-related infrastructure over a defined period. Discussions provided an opportunity to assess the country’s water investment priorities, examine financing needs and provide technical recommendations to strengthen the two documents. The feedback gathered will inform further refinement and final validation, helping improve alignment between national investment priorities and available financing opportunities.
Strengthening access to information and climate finance
Burundi faces growing climate-related pressures, including droughts, floods and land degradation, which threaten livelihoods, ecosystems and water security. While climate adaptation is reflected in national development planning, translating these priorities into projects capable of attracting climate finance requires reliable information, access to climate data, technical expertise and coordinated institutional engagement.
As Mr. Diomede Ndayirukiye, Director General of Agriculture and National Designated Authority (NDA), noted:
“Access to information and climate data is fundamental to effective climate investment planning. Stakeholders need the right information to identify climate-related needs, develop bankable project proposals and mobilise the financing required to address climate change.”
The consultations also underscored the importance of coordination among government institutions, technical and financial institutions and other stakeholders in building a stronger pipeline of climate-resilient investments.
Mr. Léonard Butoyi, Assistant to the Minister of MINEAGRIE, highlighted the importance of moving beyond identifying investment priorities to developing proposals capable of attracting climate finance.
“Developing climate-resilient water investments requires more than identifying priorities; it requires strong project concepts, coordinated institutions and a clear pathway to climate finance. Through the AU-AIP Multi-Country GCF Readiness Project, Burundi is strengthening its capacity to translate water-sector priorities into investment proposals that respond to national needs and build resilience to climate change,” he said.
From national priorities to a stronger investment pipeline
The consultations contribute to the broader ambition of the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) to accelerate water investments across Africa and address the significant financing gap in the water and sanitation sector.
Africa needs at least an additional US$30 billion annually by 2030 to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on clean water and sanitation, while current annual investment is estimated at US$10–19 billion. Adopted by African Union Heads of State and Government in 2021, the AIP aims to help bridge this gap and create five million jobs by accelerating investments in water security and sustainable sanitation.
Through the AU-AIP Multi-Country GCF Readiness Project, Burundi is among 15 countries receiving support to strengthen institutional and technical capacity to access climate finance and develop climate-resilient water investments.
In Burundi, the initiative supports the preparation of two project concept notes, climate-finance capacity-building for water-sector stakeholders, identification of institutions that could pursue GCF accreditation, and private-sector engagement. These interventions aim to strengthen the country’s ability to develop investment proposals and navigate climate-finance requirements.
For Global Water Partnership, sustained stakeholder engagement and country ownership will be essential in ensuring that the progress made through the consultations translates into practical action.
“The Global Water Partnership Network exists to bring such stakeholders together, and the Burundi Country Water Partnership will keep doing so long after today. We are committed to supporting the Government of Burundi as the Water Investment Programme moves from validation to implementation,” said Julienne Ndjiki (NGO YEBGA), Regional Programme Officer, Global Water Partnership West and Central Africa.
Stakeholder feedback will inform the refinement of the project concepts and national investment framework ahead of further climate-finance processes. While validation does not guarantee GCF funding, it strengthens the proposals’ quality and readiness for potential submission.
About the AU-AIP Multi-Country GCF Readiness Project
The African Union Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Multi-Country GCF Readiness Project supports 15 African countries in strengthening their capacity to mobilise climate finance and advance climate-resilient water investments. The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund with US$6,164,053 and implemented by the African Union Commission through Global Water Partnership Southern Africa and the GWP Coordination Unit for Africa based in South Africa. The initiative supports participating countries to prepare water-sector investment proposals, strengthen institutional capacity for climate-finance programming, identify potential entities for GCF accreditation and promote private-sector engagement. It contributes to the wider continental effort to accelerate water investments, strengthen climate resilience, and advance progress towards SDG 6.
Written and published by: Margaret Katasi