EIB Global Expands Support for Sustainable Water Infrastructure in Dhaka

Strategic Insights -

EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank, is doubling down on its commitment to sustainable water infrastructure in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with two major new investments aimed at improving water supply for the city's rapid growth. The first operation, the Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply, increases EIB Global's financing for the Gandharbpur water supply project by €70 million, adding to a €100 million loan already in place. This large-scale project will benefit over 4.5 million people by building and rehabilitating over 500 km of distribution lines and nearly 80 km of main pipelines. The second project, the Saidabad Raw Water Conveyor Project, will finance two new parallel pipelines bringing raw water from the Meghna River to the Saidabad I, II, and new III water treatment plants, ensuring a reliable, climate-resilient source of clean drinking water for around 6 million people.

Key Takeaways:

  • EIB Global has increased its financing for the Gandharbpur water supply project by €70 million, adding to a €100 million loan already in place, with a total investment of €170 million.
  • The Gandharbpur project will benefit more than 4.5 million people by building and rehabilitating over 500 km of distribution lines and nearly 80 km of main pipelines.
  • The Saidabad Raw Water Conveyor Project will finance two new parallel pipelines bringing raw water from the Meghna River to the Saidabad I, II, and new III water treatment plants, benefiting around 6 million people.
  • The two projects will directly benefit more than 10 million residents, improve public health by reducing water-borne diseases, and contribute to climate adaptation by safeguarding the city against droughts, flooding, and ground subsidence.
  • The projects are being implemented by Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) and co-financed with strong international support from the Asian Development Bank, Agence Francaise de Developpement, and the European Union.
  • The projects are aligned with the EIB Group Water Resilience Programme, which aims to increase water investment to €15 billion by 2027, and contribute to the European Union's Global Gateway strategy.

Statistics:

  • €170 million total investment in the Gandharbpur project
  • Over 4.5 million people benefitting from the Gandharbpur project
  • 500 km of distribution lines to be built and rehabilitated
  • Nearly 80 km of main pipelines to be built and rehabilitated
  • 6 million people benefiting from the Saidabad project
  • 10 million residents benefiting directly from the two projects
  • €100 million loan already in place for the Gandharbpur project
  • €90 million investment for the Saidabad Raw Water Conveyor Project
  • 2027: expected completion date for the Gandharbpur project
  • 2028: expected completion date for the Saidabad project

Sources:

  • EIB Global press release
  • World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings 2025
  • Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA)
  • Asian Development Bank
  • Agence Francaise de Developpement
  • European Union
  • EIB Group Water Resilience Programme
  • European Union's Global Gateway strategy
  • pivotalsources.com
  • SyndiGate Media Inc.