African Development Fund Approves $9.3 Million Grant for Ethiopia and South Sudan

Targeting High-Risk Regions

The multinational initiative, officially titled the Climate Proof Water4Food Project, specifically targets Ethiopia’s Gambella region and South Sudan’s Unity State. According to reports from the African Development Bank Group, these two areas are highly exposed to extreme climate events, most notably recurring floods. These environmental pressures have historically exacerbated food insecurity, damaged local livelihoods, and contributed significantly to population displacement. By focusing on these specific border areas, the project seeks to establish a regional model for managing climate risks that currently affect communities in both countries.

Infrastructure and Sanitation Upgrades

A central component of the Climate Proof Water4Food Project involves the construction and rehabilitation of seven solar-powered water supply systems. These systems are being paired with the introduction of integrated flood management measures. According to the African Development Bank Group, these infrastructure interventions are expected to provide reliable access to safe drinking water for nearly 80,000 people.

In addition to water access, the project addresses community health and oversight. Plans include the installation of new sanitation facilities in schools and public institutions, as well as the expansion of improved hygiene services. A key feature of the project’s governance structure is the establishment of women-led local water management committees, which are intended to strengthen community oversight of shared water resources.

Agricultural Training and Economic Development

The project places a heavy emphasis on climate-smart agriculture to help farmers adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. More than 100,000 farmers are scheduled to receive training designed to improve crop production. Many of these beneficiaries are expected to be women, who will gain access to improved seeds, agricultural extension services, and demonstration farms. These farmers will also be introduced to climate-resilient technologies aimed at increasing productivity while simultaneously protecting natural resources.

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The initiative also targets the youth population to foster long-term economic development. Approximately 19,300 young people are slated to receive training in agricultural skills, entrepreneurship, and the development of climate-resilient value chains. These efforts are designed to create stronger local economies and provide sustainable livelihoods for the next generation.

Regional Cooperation and Institutional Roles

Mecuria Assefaw, the African Development Bank Group’s East Africa Regional Manager for Water Security and Sanitation, highlighted the necessity of the project’s cross-border approach. Regarding the regional implications of the grant, Assefaw stated, Climate change does not recognise borders, and neither should our solutions.

Assefaw further noted that the initiative integrates water security, climate-resilient agriculture, and the strengthening of local institutions to help communities build lasting resilience. By investing in sustainable systems today, we are creating opportunities for healthier families, more productive farms and stronger local economies for years to come, Assefaw added.

Environmental Restoration

Beyond human-centered interventions, the project includes a significant environmental component focused on ecosystem health. The initiative will restore degraded land through large-scale tree planting and watershed rehabilitation. These efforts are intended to strengthen ecosystems, providing a more stable environmental foundation for the agricultural and water management goals of the project. By promoting shared technical standards and cross-border learning, the Climate Proof Water4Food Project aims to advance regional cooperation, ensuring that Ethiopia and South Sudan can coordinate their approaches to the shared environmental threats facing their vulnerable populations.