Jordan's Water and Irrigation Minister Raed Abu Saud and KfW Development Bank Country Director Matthias Schmidt-Rosen signed an agreement linked to previously approved grant and project funding for Jordan's National Water Carrier Project.
The agreement covers a €102 million grant from the German government channelled through KfW, alongside €25 million under a debt swap arrangement, bringing Germany's total contribution to €127 million. The signing is intended to initiate implementation of the grant component and reflects longstanding German involvement in Jordan's water sector.
The National Water Carrier Project is structured as a public-private partnership and aims to supply Jordan with approximately 300 million cubic metres of additional drinking water per year from 2030. It involves the construction of a large desalination plant on the Red Sea, roughly 450 kilometres of transmission pipelines connecting the plant to Amman and other regions, and the installation of solar photovoltaic systems to meet part of the project's energy needs.
The project is designed to reduce dependence on groundwater, which has faced depletion pressures from growing demand, climate variability and population growth. By incorporating renewable energy, it also aligns with Jordan's broader climate and energy transition commitments.
Jordanian authorities have designated the project a national priority, citing the need for a long-term, reliable water supply for residential, industrial and agricultural users. The ministry described it as a model for infrastructure financing that combines contributions from multiple international donors.
