Water Access Fuels Equality Gains in Rural Mauritania, African Development Bank Reports
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania – Improved access to safe water is dramatically reshaping lives in rural Mauritania, fostering healthier communities, boosting agricultural productivity, and empowering women and girls, according to a new report from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). The findings, released ahead of World Water Day 2026, underscore the critical link between water security and gender equality, with this year’s theme being “Where water flows, equality grows.”
For many women in Mauritania’s remote regions, the daily struggle to collect water consumed hours that could be dedicated to education, income-generating activities, and community leadership. A recent AfDB-funded project, the “National Integrated Rural Water Sector” initiative, is changing that reality.
The project focuses on delivering resources to some of the country’s most impoverished areas – the wilayas of Gorgol, Brakna, and Tagant – where residents face significant challenges in accessing safe water. Through the Bank’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative, and with additional funding from the African Development Fund and the Global Environment Facility, the project has expanded climate-resilient water infrastructure.
Investments include the installation of 50 new boreholes and 22 solar-powered drinking water systems, alongside improved sanitation facilities in villages, schools, and health centers. These improvements are providing reliable water services to an estimated 150,000 people.
“Across Africa, water access shapes opportunity,” said Mtchera Chirwa, AfDB Director for Water Development and Sanitation, and Dr. Jemimah Njuki, Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society, in a joint statement. “When safe water is close to home, communities are healthier, farmers are more productive, and women and girls gain time to pursue education, work, and leadership.”
The impact extends beyond basic access. Improved sanitation in schools is helping to ensure consistent attendance for girls, particularly during menstruation, while better facilities in health centers reduce the health burden on women. The project has also spurred economic growth, with 40 hectares of new irrigation areas developed specifically for women and youth groups, allowing families to grow crops and strengthen food security. Approximately two dozen women’s associations have received training in modern cropping methods and irrigated plot management, and are participating in local water governance.
The AfDB emphasizes that involving women and girls in the management and delivery of water resources is crucial for community success.
A photo gallery showcasing the transformative impact of the project in rural Mauritania is available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/afdbprojects/51737295616/in/album-72157720220888168.
