Africa faces sanitation crisis as 780 million go without basic services

Nearly 780 million people in Africa still lack basic sanitation services, the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) has warned, as climate change further strains already inadequate systems.

The total includes 208 million people who still practice open defecation, AMCOW said, while almost 840 million lack basic hygiene services.

“Across Africa, progress in sanitation access is not sufficient,” the organisation said, marking the 2025 World Toilet Day. “Only 45% of the population has basic sanitation and hygiene services. The rate of growth in sanitation services provision is outstripped by rapid population growth and urbanisation, and made worse by the impacts of climate change.”

AMCOW, formed in 2002, is an intergovernmental body representing all 55 African countries. It coordinates water and sanitation policy across the continent, and promotes sustainable management of Africa’s water resources, with a focus on expanding access to clean water and safe sanitation.

AMCOW said failing sanitation systems threaten public health, ecosystems, economic productivity, and social inclusion. Climate impacts such as flooding, droughts, rising temperatures and sea levels, water scarcity, and ageing infrastructure “continue to disrupt services across Africa,” it added.

World Toilet Day 2025 also marks the final milestone year for the Africa Water Vision 2025, which sought equitable and sustainable water use for socio-economic development and poverty reduction. AMCOW said progress shows the need for “new approaches” that can attract significant financing to the sector.

Responding to these challenges, AMCOW’s Governing Council on 29 September adopted the new Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy (AWVP63), centred on “a secure and resilient water Africa with safe sanitation for all.” The new framework emphasises valuing water, digital intelligence, the circular sanitation economy, and the blue economy.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that without safe sanitation, “sustainable development falters.” He said contaminated water spreads illnesses that kill more than 1,000 children daily and that untreated waste pollutes ecosystems and increases emissions.

Guterres added that for millions of women and girls, lack of a secure toilet means lost schooling and work opportunities. Globally, 3.4 billion people remain at risk, marginalised by geography, income or disability, while climate pressures and ageing systems strain waste management.

“This World Toilet Day, it’s time to speed up access to future-ready toilets that are accessible, climate-resilient, low-emission; and well-funded,” he said. “The toilet is a mundane marvel. And access to one is a matter of rights, and survival.”