– says climate crisis, not justification to water privatisation
By Adunni Omotinugbon
As the world marks World Water Day 2025, the Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC) has issued a strong warning to African governments and international institutions that the climate crisis must not be used as an excuse to privatize water resources.
In a statement released on Friday, OWORAC emphasized that water is a public good that must be protected from corporate exploitation.
The coalition cited the devastating impacts of climate change on Africa’s freshwater reserves, including the melting of glaciers that feed vital rivers.
“Africa’s water crisis is already at a tipping point, with over 1.3 billion Africans facing water insecurity every day,” the statement read.
It further stressed that: “the climate crisis will only worsen this situation, unless urgent action is taken to protect and expand public water systems.”
OWORAC condemned the growing trend of water privatization in Africa, citing examples of failed privatization schemes in countries such as Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Mozambique, Gabon, and Tanzania.
“Market-driven models do not solve water crises, they worsen them,” the coalition said.
“We need long-term commitments and action to adapt to climate change and fulfill the human right to water. This requires massive public investment in water infrastructure, community-driven water governance models, and legislative protections to prevent water privatization, ” the statement reads.
The coalition urged African governments, regional blocs, and global institutions to reject all forms of water privatization and instead support state-led, publicly financed water systems that are accessible to all.
“We will not allow the climate crisis to become another excuse for corporate capture of our water,” the statement concluded. “Water belongs to the people – not the market.”
The statement was signed by several organizations, including SYNATEEC Trade Union (Cameroon), African Centre for Policy and Advocacy (Cameroon), Biodiversity and Biosafety Association (Kenya), and Corporate Accountability, Public Participation (CAPPA).and Corporate Accountability, USA
