The African Development Bank Group to grant Egypt $ 129.8 million (€ 109 million) to improve sanitation infrastructure and services to rural communities in Luxor governorate in the Upper Nile region in Egypt.
The funding consists of a loan of $ 128.6 million (108 million euros) from the Bank and a grant of $ 1.19 million (1 million euros) from the Initiative for the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSSI) – an Africa-wide initiative hosted by the AfDB.
The funding will help meet the Egyptian government’s funding needs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also support a solid base of water and sanitation infrastructure – a key catalyst for the inclusive development of the country. The Integrated Rural Sanitation Project in Upper Egypt-Luxor (IRSUE-Luxor) is expected to increase wastewater coverage in the region from 6% to 55%, improving the quality of life of citizens, including women and children , who are most affected by poor sanitation.
Did you read?
AfDB takes stock of water projects that have benefited 20 million Africans
AfDB-supported project improves access to water and sanitation
Rania Al-Mashat, Egyptian Minister for International Cooperation: “Promoting efficient, equitable and sustainable economic development through integrated water resources management is a priority for the Egyptian government. The IRSUE-Luxor initiative unleashes the potential for socio-economic development for inclusive and green growth. “
About 22,000 households (240,000 inhabitants) will benefit from on-site and off-site facilities, thanks to an integrated system of sewerage networks, sludge treatment and wastewater treatment plants.
IRSUE-Luxor contributes to the National Rural Sanitation Program set up by the Ministry of Housing, Public Services and Urban Communities, which aims to expand national access to sanitation services from 34% currently to 60% in 2030 The project also complements the national Haya Karima (Decent Life) program which aims to help rural communities across Egypt access essential infrastructure services to improve their living conditions and livelihoods.
Support the ongoing sector reform in Egypt through infrastructure development
The project will also include a staff training component to strengthen performance within the Luxor Water and Wastewater Company.
Malinne Blomberg, Deputy Managing Director of the AfDB for North Africa: “This intervention is not just about infrastructure development. An essential element of the project is to support the ongoing sector reforms. “
One of the many initiatives supported by the AfDB in Egypt to optimize the use of the country’s water resources, IRSUE-Luxor will allow around 30,000 cubic meters of treated wastewater per day to be discharged into the drainage canals and irrigation and reused to improve agricultural production. .
The initiative is part of the Bank’s Water Sector Policy, which promotes efficient, equitable and sustainable development through integrated management of water resources. In addition, the operation supports tariff regulation to achieve full cost recovery, which is one of the basic principles of the Bank’s water sector policy.
Learn more about Integrated Rural Sanitation in Upper Egypt-Luxor (IRSUE-Luxor) in the AfDB evaluation report online.
