Nairobi, Kenya – The Global Water Center (GWC) has unveiled a transformative initiative aimed at expanding access to safely managed water across East Africa, beginning with a $1.1 million boost in funding from the Grundfos Foundation and The Coca-Cola Foundation.
The project targets four countries—Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda—and focuses on bridging the critical skills gap in the rural water sector while laying the groundwork for a globally scalable model.
In its initial phase, the project will carry out a comprehensive gap analysis to identify urgent vocational training needs, develop tailored course content, and launch a technical assistance program to support government efforts.
“Safe and reliable water access is a cornerstone of livelihoods, public health, and social progress in rural areas,” said Kim Nøhr Skibsted, CEO of the Grundfos Foundation.
“It takes both knowledge and skill to maintain modern water systems, and we’re committed to helping governments strengthen capacity in the water sector to serve their citizens.”
The urgency of the project is underscored by findings from the latest Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water (GLAAS) report, which highlights a severe shortage of skilled water professionals across Africa.
Many countries in the region operate with less than half of the workforce needed to build, operate, and maintain vital water and sanitation systems—putting sustainable access to water and public health at risk.
To address these challenges, GWC’s initiative will focus on sustainable and scalable capacity development, including forging partnerships with global and local stakeholders to ensure contextual relevance and community engagement, integrating climate adaptation strategies to safeguard water systems from environmental shocks and equipping local governments and professionals with essential technical skills to sustain and expand water services long-term.
“The initiatives we support are designed to build resilience and improve water security in local communities,” said Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation. “This project reflects a thoughtful, locally driven approach to investing in water innovation and infrastructure for lasting impact.”
While the initial $1.1 million in grants will fund the first phase, GWC emphasizes that completing all three planned phases will require broader collaboration and continued investment.
“We’re incredibly thankful for the support that’s making this launch possible,” said Thomas Johnston, CEO of GWC. “But this is just the beginning. We invite partners, donors, and governments to join us in bringing safe, reliable water to rural communities in East Africa—and eventually to others in need around the world.”