African Development Bank: Institutional Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Utilities

The African Development Bank's (AfDB) Institutional Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Utilities program is a strategic funding initiative aimed at strengthening the operational, financial, and governance capacities of water and sanitation service providers across Africa. With climate change increasingly disrupting water availability and infrastructure, the AfDB recognizes that utilities must adapt to ensure sustainable service delivery. This call for proposals, part of the Bank's broader commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6) and its High 5 priorities, invites eligible organizations to submit projects that build the resilience of utilities. The program is expected to fund multiple projects across the continent, with individual budgets varying based on scope. Typical projects include diagnostics, training, technical assistance, and pilot investments valued between USD 1 million and USD 5 million. The overarching goal is to create a cadre of climate-resilient utilities that can provide safe water and sanitation to communities, even under adverse climate conditions. The AfDB's focus on institutional capacity building rather than large infrastructure reflects a recognition that many utilities suffer from poor management and technical inefficiencies. By enhancing skills and systems, the Bank aims to unlock greater performance from existing assets. The program also promotes a partnership approach, encouraging collaboration between utilities, governments, NGOs, and the private sector. To this end, proposals should demonstrate a clear understanding of the local context and a commitment to gender equality and social inclusion. The deadline of October 30, 2026, allows for thorough proposal preparation, but early engagement with the AfDB and potential partners is advised. Applicants are encouraged to submit concept notes or inquire about specific country priorities. The Bank offers a streamlined application process through its online portal, with technical and financial evaluation criteria publicly available. Successful projects will be those that present a credible theory of change, realistic timelines, and a budget that optimizes value for money. GSLI's extensive course offerings in WASH, Project Management, M&E, Procurement, Financial Management, and Fundraising align perfectly with the capacity needs identified by the AfDB. By integrating GSLI certification programs into the proposal, applicants can demonstrate a ready-made, high-quality solution for training needs. Moreover, GSLI's approach to adult learning, which emphasizes practical application and peer learning, resonates with the AfDB's desire for lasting impact. This overview captures the essence of the opportunity: a call for well-designed capacity building projects that empower utilities to thrive in a changing climate. The following sections delve deeper into the strategic value, implementation roadmap, risk mitigation, and frequently asked questions.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This opportunity is designed for a diverse range of entities involved in water and sanitation service delivery across Africa. Primary recipients include public water and sanitation utilities operating at municipal, regional, or national levels. These utilities must demonstrate a mandate to provide water supply, sewerage, and sanitation services, and should be facing challenges related to climate variability (e.g., droughts, floods) that impact service continuity. Also eligible are national regulatory bodies or ministries responsible for water and sanitation policy and oversight, as they play a critical role in creating an enabling environment for utility reform. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations with a track record in capacity building for WASH services are also encouraged to apply, particularly if they can bring innovative approaches to community engagement and behavior change. International organizations and consulting firms with expertise in institutional strengthening and climate adaptation in the water sector may also qualify, provided they partner with local institutions. Importantly, the AfDB places a premium on proposals that promote gender equality and social inclusion, so organizations with a demonstrated commitment to these cross-cutting issues are favored. Applicants must be legally registered in an AfDB member country and have a proven financial management system. The program specifically targets entities that are not yet fully climate-resilient but have the potential to transform with targeted capacity support.

Priorities

The AfDB's overarching priority is to achieve universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6. Within this, the Bank emphasizes climate resilience as a core component. Key investment KPIs include: a) Reduction in non-revenue water (NRW) by at least 20% within three years of intervention; b) Improved financial performance of utilities, measured by operating cost coverage ratio reaching at least 1.0; c) Integration of climate risk assessment into utility planning for 100% of supported utilities; d) Increased proportion of women in technical and management positions within utilities by at least 30%; e) Number of people gaining access to climate-resilient water services (target: 500,000 per project). The Bank also prioritizes innovations in smart water management, including the use of digital technologies for leak detection, billing, and customer service. Projects that foster regional knowledge sharing and south-south cooperation are valued. Furthermore, the AfDB seeks proposals that align with national adaptation plans (NAPs) and nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Proposals should demonstrate how capacity building will lead to tangible improvements in service delivery, especially for the most vulnerable populations. Multi-sectoral approaches linking water, energy, and agriculture are encouraged to enhance overall resilience. Finally, the Bank expects a strong monitoring and evaluation framework with clearly defined outcomes and impact indicators.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are comprehensive and aim to ensure that only well-governed, financially stable entities with a clear focus on climate resilience participate. Financial eligibility requires that the applicant organization submit audited financial statements for the past three years, demonstrating no material irregularities. The organization must have a sustainable revenue stream; for utilities, this means a positive operating margin or a clear path to achieving one within the project timeframe. Legally, the applicant must be a legally registered entity in an AfDB regional member country, with a board of directors or equivalent governing body. Corporate governance standards must include anti-corruption policies and adherence to the Bank's fiduciary guidelines. Spatially, the proposed interventions must target specific geographic areas (e.g., a city, district, or river basin) that are identified as vulnerable to climate change. The project must benefit underserved populations, including low-income urban and rural communities. Additionally, the AfDB requires that at least 50% of the project budget be allocated to activities directly related to capacity building (training, technical assistance, etc.), not infrastructure. The organization must demonstrate experience in delivering similar capacity-building projects, with references from at least three previous assignments. Environmental and social safeguards must be in place, including a gender action plan. Finally, the applicant must commit to co-financing at least 10% of the total project cost, either in cash or in kind (e.g., staff time, office space). GSLI's courses in Financial Management for NGOs and Grants Management can help applicants strengthen their financial and compliance systems to meet these eligibility standards.

Path to Success

To succeed in securing and implementing this grant, follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI's capacity-building courses at key stages. Step 1: Pre-proposal Assessment and Partnership Building (Months 1-2). Start by conducting a thorough needs assessment of the target utility using GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) course to design baseline surveys. Engage with local stakeholders, including government agencies, to align the proposal with national water sector reforms. Enroll key staff in GSLI's Project Management for Development course to strengthen project design and work planning. Step 2: Proposal Development with GSLI Integration (Months 3-5). Develop a compelling proposal that highlights institutional strengthening. Use insights from GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals course to craft a clear narrative linking capacity building to climate resilience outcomes. Include a detailed budget and logical framework. Cross-sell GSLI's WASH course to ensure the technical components are up-to-date. Step 3: Implementation and Capacity Building (Months 6-24). Upon award, immediately enroll utility staff in GSLI's Procurement & Supply Chain and Financial Management for NGOs courses to improve operational efficiency. Implement the capacity-building plan, using GSLI's M&E course to track progress. Hold quarterly review meetings to adapt activities. Step 4: Sustainability and Scaling (Months 25-36). Use GSLI's Fundraising & Resource Mobilization course to develop a sustainability plan to attract additional funding. Document best practices and share via the AfDB's knowledge platforms. Leverage GSLI's network to explore partnerships for scaling. Throughout, maintain close communication with the AfDB task manager and submit timely reports. By embedding GSLI courses, you demonstrate a commitment to building durable institutional capacity, which is a key success factor for this program.

Recommended GSLI Courses

WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)
Financial Management for NGOs
Project Management for Development

Deadline: 2026-10-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal