Ethiopia has struggled to achieve universal water supply and has also failed to recoup its investment costs, according to announcements made at the 12th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation. This forum, which has been active for the past 18 years, faced interruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic and other issues but has resumed in the past two years.

During the forum, it was highlighted that Ethiopia’s inability to provide universal water supply and recover investment costs is attributed to several factors, including limited access to financing and inadequate foundational infrastructure. Additionally, a lack of transparency at various government levels has exacerbated these challenges.

At the same forum, Engineer Habtamu Itefa, the Minister of Water and Energy, reported that over half a million people in the country now have access to electricity through various alternative energy technologies. He emphasized the progress in providing electricity access to the population through these innovative solutions.