Coalition Says Poor Households Pay Up to 20 Times More for Water

A coalition of African water justice groups has urged governments to reject water privatisation and increase public funding for safe, reliable and affordable water services. Speaking during the 2026 Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation in Lagos, the group said low-income households without public water connections often depend on vendors, tankers and boreholes. It said they can pay 10 to 20 times more per unit of water than wealthier households connected to public networks. The coalition warned that commercial tariffs, prepaid meters, concessions and other private-sector arrangements could deepen inequality. It called for stronger public water institutions, transparent financing, resilient infrastructure and meaningful community participation in water governance. It also urged African governments to turn commitments under the Africa Water Vision 2063 into measurable investments in water, sanitation and environmental protection.

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