Three African countries can expect increased bilateral donor funding for water. Denmark has chosen Mali and Niger as programme countries for the coming 15-20 years. Danish aid to Mali is expected to reach DKK 150-200 million (EUR 20-27 million) annually. Although the Mali government has to be consulted first on the sectors to be funded, Danish Development Minister Ulla Tørnæs has noted that the needs were obvious within natural resources management, water, and the fight against desertification. Aid to Niger will double to DKK 70-80 million (EUR 9-11 million) annually and will continue to go to the sectors of water and food security.

Britain will grant the Tanzanian government GBP 310 million (EUR 454 million) for the period 2007-2009 for its poverty reduction programme, including water, health and education projects. The grant will make Tanzania one of the biggest UK aid recipients in the world. Unlike in neighbouring East African countries, the money is direct government-to-government (budget) support.

Contact: Minister for Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, udviklingsministeren@um.dk, website ; Eunice Urio, Media and Communications Adviser, DFID Tanzania, e-urio@dfid.gov.uk

Source: Development Today[subscription site], 31 Jan 2006 ; The East African / allAfrica.com, 7 Feb 2006 ; DFID Press Release, 1 Feb 2006