The West Africa Water Initiative, worth nearly $41 million, is a public-private partnership to provide potable water and sanitation to rural villages in Ghana, Mali and Niger. The initiative is a partnership between the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation (providing $18 million over 7 years), USAID, World Vision, UNICEF, WaterAid, the Lions Club International Foundation, the Desert Research Institute, Winrock International, Cornell University's International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development and the World Chlorine Council.

By 2008, the partners expect to have provided Ghana, Mali and Niger with a minimum of 825 new water boreholes, 100 alternative water resources and 9,000 more latrines, reaching more than one half million people. In addition, thousands of adults, children and teachers will be instructed in safe hygiene and sanitation practices.