Côte d’Ivoire Expands Clean Water Access with Galébré Urban Water Project

Côte d’Ivoire has marked a significant milestone in its drive toward universal access to clean water with the inauguration of the Galébré urban water supply system, a flagship project under the government’s Water for All (Eau Pour Tous) programme. As for the 35,000 residents of this semi-urban sub-prefecture, the new system represents more than infrastructure, it indicates a shift in daily life, public health, and economic opportunity.

Officially commissioned on December 12 by the Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, H.E. Bouaké Fofana, the Galébré project underscores the government’s determination to close long-standing gaps in access to potable water, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The ceremony brought together senior cabinet members, regional authorities, traditional leaders, community representatives and project partner Mitrelli, reflecting the broad political and social consensus around water as a national priority.

At the household level, the impact is immediate and deeply human. Reliable access to safe water reduces exposure to waterborne diseases that disproportionately affect children and the elderly, easing the burden on families and local health facilities. To the women and girls that are often responsible for water collection, the project frees up hours previously spent fetching water, allowing more time for education, income-generating activities and community life.

Culturally, the project strengthens social cohesion by addressing a basic need that cuts across ethnic, religious and economic lines. Clean water access supports communal spaces such as schools, health centers and markets, reinforcing shared responsibility for public assets and well-being.

Economically, the Galébré system lays the groundwork for local development. Reliable water supply supports small businesses, agriculture, food processing and services, while also improving the operating environment for public institutions. In the longer term, such infrastructure investments help make semi-urban areas more attractive for private investment and job creation.

Politically, the project illustrates how targeted public infrastructure can translate policy into visible results. As one of the first completed systems under Water for All, Galébré serves as a proof point for a programme expected to deliver potable water to more than 1.5 million people across 200 sub-prefectures nationwide.

With additional sites under construction and more scheduled for completion in the coming months, the Galébré inauguration reflects a broader national push to strengthen resilience, reduce inequality and anchor development in essential services. In a country where access to clean water remains a key development challenge, the project signals steady progress toward making water not a privilege, but a guaranteed right.