Water shortages reported in Bujumbura and Cotonou

Severe water shortages are affecting residents in Bujumbura, Burundi, and Cotonou, Benin.

In the Kanyosha zone of Bujumbura, residents face acute scarcity due to a lack of water from Regideso and failures in public fountains provided by Amazi Water. The situation is exacerbated by frequent electricity outages, which prevent the operation of water pumps. Many households go several days without water, forcing residents to rely on expensive private boreholes or water vendors.

In the Fiyégnon Houta neighborhood of Cotonou, residents report a total absence of running water that has intensified over the last two weeks. While authorities note a recent week-long disruption, some locals claim the instability has persisted for nearly three years. Technicians from the Société nationale des eaux du Bénin (SONEB) have been deployed to investigate the cause and work toward restoring service.