Access to clean water in Africa has experienced a significant and positive development in the last decade, in line with the achievements of the Millennium Goals. South of the Sahara, only half of the population had access in 1990, 20 years later that has risen to two-thirds. Thanks to the work of the African Development Bank, Africa’s main partner in the water sector. In Rwanda, for example, AfDB projects over the past five years has provided nearly 600,000 people with drinking water close to their homes. The primary beneficiaries are women, especially young girls. In the region of Louga, 200 kilometres north of Dakar, the Millenium drinking water and sanitation program, or PEPAM, has meant several villages are now connected to the water mains, allowing women’s groups to improve the quality of their market produce. The project has helped about 800,000 people in rural areas, almost 6% of the Senegalese population and some of the infrastructure has been in place for several years. Their management has been delegated to user associations. 500 have been created across the country; they’re responsible for the distribution of water, the collection of water bills and basic maintenance. A priority of every development program is to help the most remote areas. And this applies even to countries that have a solid infrastructure already in place. With 90% of its population having access to water, Tunisia is a pioneer on the continent. However, inequalities do exist; entire territories are without water, which has a serious effect on livestock ranchers and farmers, who often want to seek a living elsewhere. Yet these provinces have what it takes for economic development. The supply of drinking water covers more than 80% of Tunisia. The African Development Bank is funding a $140 million program, which got underway in 2012. Preserving the environment and natural resources is essential in every country in the world, but even more important in countries, like here in Morocco, which is in a situation of water stress. At the city of Khenifra in the Middle Atlas region much of the sewage went straight into the river, making it totally unsuitable for human consumption and destroying much of the aquatic life. The construction of a treatment and sewerage plant means the water from the river can be filtered to make it drinkable. The new plant supplies nearly 250,000 people with clean water. A few miles away, in Khourigba, a municipal team is carrying out maintenance on the city’s new sanitation network. Just two years ago, houses, cellars and sewers were flooded and overflowed into the streets with every heavy rain. Considerable progress has been made across the continent: the AfDB has now helped tens of millions of Africans benefit from access to water, improving health, quality of life, education and entrepreneurship. But the challenges are immense: the annual deficit in water and sanitation infrastructure is estimated at more than $14 billion. With the African population expected to double by 2040, only determined action and renewed support from donors will win the 'Battle of Water' for the poorest on the continent.