Group renews call for governments to reject water privatisation

By Lukman Olabiyi

The Our Water, Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC), has renewed its call on African governments and citizens to reject water privatisation, warning that such policies could deepen inequality and disproportionately affect women and girls across the continent.

In a statement issued to mark World Water Day 2026, the coalition described public-private partnerships in the water sector as “false solutions” to Africa’s water challenges.

This year’s theme, “Water and Gender”, highlights the intersection between water access and gender inequality.

Presenting the statement on behalf of the coalition, Programme Officer (Water Campaign) at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Holiness Segun-Olufemi, said the theme underscores the urgent need to address the disproportionate burden faced by women in water-scarce communities.

OWORAC, a network of civil society organisations, local communities and trade unions across Africa, maintained that all forms of water privatisation and corporate control are incompatible with achieving water and gender justice on the continent. The coalition noted that women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa collectively spend about 200 million hours daily fetching water, describing the situation as a major barrier to education, economic empowerment and personal safety.

Also speaking, Fatou Diouf said privatisation prioritises profit over people’s needs, undermining access to safe and affordable water for vulnerable populations.

She warned that handing over public water systems to private entities could result in higher tariffs, reduced accountability and the exclusion of communities from key decision-making processes.

OWORAC also expressed concern over policy developments in Zimbabwe, where authorities are reportedly considering water privatisation measures alongside plans to scrap the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.

The coalition said such moves could weaken institutional protections for women.