The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $16.38 million in additional financing for the Borana Resilient Water Development for Improved Livelihoods Programme II, further strengthening Ethiopia’s efforts to build climate-resilient water infrastructure in the drought-prone Borana zone of the Oromia region. The funding includes a $9.38 million grant from the Climate Action Window of the African Development Fund and $7 million from the Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility. The additional resources will help expand solar-powered water systems and extend the region’s existing water distribution network by nearly 95 kilometres. Assefaw emphasized that by harnessing renewable energy and empowering communities to manage their water systems, the initiative ensures that resilience becomes a tangible reality for families and farmers. Through this initiative, Ethiopia aims to strengthen its capacity to withstand extreme weather events—such as droughts, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures—while advancing inclusive and sustainable development in the Borana region.