The African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) successfully co-hosted the 5th annual Partners Coordination Platform (PCP) meeting on water and sanitation in Africa. Held on 29-31 July 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria, the event brought together leading organisations, development partners, and stakeholders across the continent. The idea was to enhance coordination, strengthen partnerships, and align efforts to accelerate progress toward water security and sanitation goals in Africa.

The PCP is a vital platform for addressing Africa’s water and sanitation challenges by facilitating resource mobilisation, exchanging information, and promoting collaboration among key institutions. The platform and its contribution to the overall goals of the Africa Water Vision 2025 demonstrate water and sanitation’s roles as critical cross-cutting factors in Africa’s socio-economic development.

The 2022 Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring Report reveals significant challenges. Millions lack access to safe sanitation and drinking water, and climate change exacerbates the issues, impacting livelihoods and economic growth across Africa. At the 5th PCP meeting, participants focused on the importance of building Africa’s resilience to climate change and ensuring that investments in water and sanitation are climate-proofed. Africa remains vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with its water resources severely impacted, which heightens the urgency for more decisive, well-coordinated action.

The gathering also provided a platform for assessing progress on water-related commitments, including those established under Agenda 2063, the African Union’s climate change and resilient development strategy, and the Africa Water Investment Program (AIP). Emphasis was placed on leveraging tools such as the Africa Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO) and the AIP PIDA Water Investment Scorecard to track water-related investments, improve accountability, and guide future actions.

One of the core objectives of the PCP meeting was to enhance data, knowledge, and reporting mechanisms across the continent to inform better decision-making. Delegates exchanged insights on ongoing water and sanitation initiatives, identified gaps, and recommended future interventions. Key priorities that emerged included ensuring greater access to safe water and sanitation, improving institutional capacity for water governance, and enhancing the coordination of projects spanning transboundary basins and regional economic communities.

In addition to these technical discussions, the meeting allowed stakeholders to share reflections on Africa’s participation at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia. This exchange of experiences envisioned shaping Africa’s position at upcoming global and regional events, such as World Water Week, COP29, and the 9th edition of Africa Water Week.

Expected outcomes of the PCP meeting include enhanced insights into ongoing and planned initiatives and ideas for improving synergies across water and sanitation efforts and organisations. At the core of the consultation were the valuable contributions to the development of a Post-2025 Africa Water Vision and the African Union Water Policy. Also, the groundwork was laid to ensure Africa’s strong and coordinated representation on global platforms and advance a collective and impactful voice on water issues through the Africa Pavilion initiative. Participants at the 5th PCP meeting included representatives from AUC, AMCOW, AfDB, AUDA-NEPAD, UNECA, regional economic communities, basin organisations, civil society networks, development partners, and UN agencies such as UNICEF and UN-Water. These stakeholders are committed to continuing their collaboration to meet Africa’s water and sanitation challenges head-on.

From July 17 to 20, 2024, the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) conducted a strategic courtesy visit to key water sector stakeholders in Côte d’Ivoire. The mission was led by Executive Secretary Dr Rashid Mbaziira, alongside Patrice Leumeni and Comfort Kanshio – Policy Officers Monitoring and Reporting and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene—the mission aimed to reinforce synergy and align efforts with critical sector actors to address Africa’s water-related challenges.

The visit was marked by high-level meetings with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Water and Forestry, the Africa Water Facility (AWF), and the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA).

During the courtesy call to Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Water and Forestry, Hon. Laurent Tchagba, AMCOW emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in addressing Africa’s pressing water challenges. The discussions focused on the outcomes of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, the need for capacity building, and the critical role of domestic financing for African water projects. Minister Tchagba pledged Côte d’Ivoire’s support for AMCOW’s objectives, expressing willingness to host a future major AMCOW event and confirming participation in the 9th Africa Water Week in Cairo this October.

The AMCOW delegation also engaged with the Africa Water Facility (AWF), represented by AfDB Director of Water and Sanitation, Oswald Chanda. The dialogue appraised the collaboration at the 10th World Water Forum and explored ways to sustain the momentum raised. The AWF committed to supporting the 9th Africa Water Week and contributing to the post-2025 Africa Water Vision consultation process.

Further discussions with AfWASA led to agreements on joint efforts for data collection and reporting, particularly for the Africa Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring and Reporting (WASSMO) platform. AfWASA confirmed its participation in the 9th Africa Water Week and committed to collaborating on advocacy for the post-2025 Africa Water Vision.

This visit is one of those demonstrations of AMCOW’s coordination role in Africa’s water sector. Côte d’Ivoire’s government pledged support for AMCOW’s future initiatives. The mission provided valuable insights into strengthening advocacy efforts, improving data collection mechanisms, and advancing the next phase of Africa’s water sector strategy.

AMCOW will continue to build on these partnerships and creating synergies, with follow-up actions planned for supporting national water projects in Côte d’Ivoire, revising the WASSMO third phase proposal, and advancing stakeholder consultations for the post-2025 Africa Water Vision. These efforts are crucial to ensuring a sustainable and water-secure future for Africa.

Press Release

The African Ministers’ Council on Water is pleased to announce the 9^th edition of the Africa Water Week (AWW9). Held biennially, the AWW is co-organised by the African Union Commission (AUC), the Secretariat of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) with support from partners. The 9^th Africa Water Week will be hosted jointly with the 7^th edition of the Cairo Water Week by the Arab Republic of Egypt under the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation from 13 to 17 October 2024 at the Triumph Hotels in Cairo.

Water is the cornerstone of life, health, and development. As Africa strives to achieve the aspirations of the Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, ensuring water security and efficient water resource management has never been more critical. The AWW9 offers partners and stakeholders a platform for exchanging information, knowledge and solutions to deliver on water and sanitation goals in Africa. The events will attract participants from end-users, the public service, development financing, the private sector, civil society, the media, and research and academia worldwide.

The 9th Africa Water Week theme is “Placing Water and Sanitation at the Heart of Achieving Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.”

The overarching goal is to evaluate progress made to actualise the Africa Water Vision 2025 (AWV 2025), especially given the fast-approaching final milestone in 2025. This will guide the formulation of the post-2025 Africa Water Vision, drawing on the achievements, lessons learnt, and emerging issues from the pursuit of the AWV 2025. As such, the engagements will follow six sub-themes as follows:

1. Financing, investments, and resource mobilisation
2. Water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and wastewater
3. Water infrastructure for economic growth, climate resilience, and disaster risk reduction
4. Water governance and institutions for managing and protecting water resources
5. Information management and capacity development
6. Gender equality and social inclusion

The Executive Secretary of AMCOW, Dr Rashid Mbaziira, stated, “The theme and subthemes of the 9^th AWW are aligned with Africa’s Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring (WASSMO) themes. The idea is to promote discussions and position the outcomes of the 9^th AWW to contribute to the post-2025 Africa Water Vision towards achieving Agenda 2063.”

Participants will hold discussions under different technical and plenary sessions focusing on topical issues. AWW9 will also feature Ministerial and Parliamentary sessions. Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn and share lessons with key sector actors across the globe, as well as network, engage, and build lasting relationships with other attendees. The primary outcome of the event will be a high-level Ministerial Declaration.

Registration for the 9^th Africa Water Week will begin on 1 August 2024. For more information, kindly visit the Africa Water Week website – https://africawaterweek.amcow-online.org

Abuja, Nigeria – June 28, 2024

The 11th Ordinary Session of the Committee of Experts and the 5th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in West Africa is held in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 25 to 28, 2024. This significant event is organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Water Resources Management Center (WRMC), with the esteemed participation of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).

The sessions aim to reinvigorate the regional IWRM process in West Africa, addressing the dynamic challenges in water resource management and setting strategic directions for the future. Attendees include experts from the member states, representatives from regional and international water management organisations, and key stakeholders from development partners, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector. A ministerial session on 28 June will welcome ministers responsible for water in the Western Africa region.

The objective of the event is to review regional IWRM progress. The sessions will provide a comprehensive update on implementing the IWRM process in West Africa since the 4th Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee, which was held in Dakar, Senegal, in 2015.

Other specific objectives include:

1. Assess the implementation status of the decisions from the 4th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee, ensuring continued alignment with regional water management goals.
2. Set strategic directions by examining the 2024 work program and budget of the WRMC and discussing the strategic plan for 2020-2030, focusing on sustainable and integrated water resource management practices.
3. Share key initiatives by ECOWAS and partners, promoting collaboration across transboundary water basins and enhancing regional water governance.
4. Address the operationalisation of the Regional Water Observatory and the promotion of new basin organisations, ensuring effective monitoring and management of water resources.

AMCOW’s delegation, led by the Executive Secretary, Dr Rashid Mbaziira, is critical in this event and demonstrates its commitment to supporting ECOWAS and its member states. In his remarks, the AMCOW Executive Secretary emphasised the importance of sustainable water management for regional and global development. He reiterated AMCOW’s dedication to enhancing governance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in sustainable water resources management.

“We are honoured to participate in these critical sessions, which mark a significant step towards strengthening water resource management in West Africa. AMCOW remains committed to supporting ECOWAS in turning challenges into opportunities and ensuring water is a source of life, prosperity, and peace for all.”

The Executive Secretary of AMCOW seized the opportunity to call on all participants to attend the ninth edition of Africa Water Week (AWW9), which will be hosted in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt. The event is expected to result in actionable recommendations and strategic directives to guide and strengthen IWRM in West Africa, ensuring resilient and inclusive water management practices across the region.

Bali, Indonesia – May 22, 2024

AMCOW and DHI organised a side event at the 10th World Water Forum. It was a very informative session on “Building Strategic Knowledge Systems for Efficient Water and Sanitation in Africa” from 8:30 to 10:00 AM in Kintamani 5.

The session featured vital partners – South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Senegal. It made a case for the essential role of knowledge management in enhancing water and sanitation services across Africa. Also, the session launched the second edition of Africa’s Voice on Water (AVOW) magazine. Overall, it was a huge step in promoting efforts for a water-wise Africa.

The AMCOW and DHI collaboration raises awareness about the benefits of establishing requisite knowledge systems – and showcasing South Africa’s Knowledge Management (KM) strategy for the water and sanitation sector. Senegal showcased Pôle Eau Dakar (PED), a digital solution for providing and improving access to water-related knowledge, guiding water-related investments and supporting informed cooperation and governance processes. Code Kraft, AMCOW’s software-building partner, took participants on a tour of AMCOW’s upgraded Knowledge Hub of Hubs. The blend of exercises gave insight into the long-term benefits of having a central continental repository for enhancing water resources management and delivering sustainable sanitation in Africa.

The session highlighted challenges such as the lack of emphasis on knowledge management – as KM is often overlooked in favour of data and information management, leading to inadequate resources dedicated to KM initiatives. The session further highlighted other challenges, such as the transition from data to knowledge – the difficulty of moving beyond data management to actual knowledge creation and sharing. Also discussed was the issue of evidence-based policy development – strategies and policies are often not evidence-based due to insufficient insights into real situations.

The session further proffered innovative solutions, such as:

• Developing Knowledge Championship: South Africa, like the AMCOW Secretariat, has deployed efforts to drive knowledge building and dissemination and enhance sector data and reporting by developing national-level knowledge focal points.
• Sector Non-technical Database: AMCOW Secretariat unveiled an initiative to build a non-technical database of service providers across the continent – accessible on the knowledge hub of hubs – to accelerate private sector involvement in the sector and networking.
• Senegal’s Pole Eau Dakar (PED): The Republic of Senegal is building a web-based open-access portal to facilitate access to knowledge to guide water and sanitation investments and support governance processes.

Participants were actively engaged throughout the session. A creative video of a football masterclass illustrated the difference between data and knowledge and captivated the audience. Attendees sought clarity on how rural stakeholders without internet access could be engaged. In response, consideration was given to establishing community knowledge centres to facilitate knowledge exchange in local areas. Senegal expressed how it applies quality control protocols in validating information and knowledge resources uploaded to online platforms.

DHI, South Africa, Senegal, and other partners will reconvene at World Water Week in August 2024 to consolidate their preparation for a robust KM programme.

10th World Water Forum: Bali, Indonesia – May 21, 2024

From 4:40 to 6:10 PM on 21 May, the 10th World Water Forum continued its critical discussions at the Africa Pavilion with a session titled “Sustained Provision of Access to Universal Resilient WASH Services.” AMCOW, WaterAid, the Kingdom of Morocco, and Mozambique convened the session in Kintamani 1.

The session tackled the pressing challenges of delivering sustainable and resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services across Africa and shared existing solutions from various member countries. The linkages between climate change and sanitation service provision were discussed, and national approaches to achieving sustainable access to WASH services were explored. It was clear that delivering sustainable and resilient WASH services is an immense challenge in Africa, requiring solutions beyond mere infrastructure coverage.

The main topics covered include a) Financing the Water and Sanitation Sector: Discussions focused on the financial challenges and potential solutions for funding WASH infrastructure. b) Encouraging Treatment and Wastewater Reduction: Strategies to mitigate climate change impacts through effective wastewater management were explored. c) Strengthening Institutions and Policies: The importance of robust regulatory frameworks and national policies to support sustainable WASH services was emphasised.

Challenges identified were:

1. Financing WASH Infrastructure: The need for substantial investment in WASH infrastructure remains a significant hurdle.
2. Weak Implementation of National Commitments: Many countries struggle to implement their WASH commitments effectively.
3. Inadequate Capacity for Bankable Proposals: There is a lack of capacity to develop proposals that attract the necessary funding.

During the discussions, the panellists proposed domesticating continental declarations by incorporating them into national action plans to ensure local relevance and impact. Another solution underscored was prioritising national agendas in countries’ strategic papers to attract financing from multilateral organisations.

Some attendees sought clarity on how communities in poor areas can access funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB). Others inquired why progress in WASH access is slow despite numerous conferences, declarations, and commitments, as well as the specific areas that the post-2025 Africa Water Vision will include to improve sustainable WASH services.

Key takeaway actions include prioritising financing for WASH services in the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and strengthening the policy environment for WASH. This includes policy development, regulatory frameworks, institutional reforms, and developing concrete national priorities in collaboration with finance ministries to attract funding.

Bali, Indonesia – May 21, 2024:

Another significant session titled “Water and Water Infrastructure for Development: Paving the Path for Water Security and Sustainable Development” took place from 1:00 to 2:30 PM in Kintamani 2. The session, convened by AUDA-NEPAD, the World Bank, UNESCO, and the Republic of Benin, brought together experts and policymakers to address the critical issues surrounding climate-resilient water infrastructure.

The session aimed to gather water management professionals, planners, policymakers, and academics to review experiences, identify gaps, and explore solutions for climate-resilient water infrastructure development. Also, it will strengthen approaches to project preparation, coordination, and capacity building and convene representatives from West African governments, river basin organisations (RBOs), regional organisations, and international bodies.

Key areas discussed include:

1. WASH Services Access: The increasing number of people lacking access to water and sanitation due to population growth necessitates a corresponding increase in infrastructure development.
2. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Emphasizing the need to incorporate climate resilience into infrastructure design from the outset to avoid the cycle of building and rebuilding.
3. CRIDA Tool: Introduction of the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis Tool (CRIDA) by UNESCO, a peer-reviewed methodology aiding in creating climate-proof water infrastructure.

The main topics covered in the projected population increase are putting significant pressure on existing infrastructure and the necessity of transitioning to climate-resilient infrastructure; AUDA-NEPAD’s pivotal role is in supporting regional economic communities (RECs) with capacity building in project preparation and resource mobilisation.

The session identified the need for climate-proof water infrastructure investments and the persistent capacity-building issue to prepare bankable projects, innovative solutions, and best practices. They presented the following solutions:

1. Carbon Markets: Exploring carbon markets as an innovative financing mechanism for infrastructure while understanding the trade-offs involved.
2. CRIDA Methodology: Utilizing the CRIDA tool to incorporate climate resilience in the design and planning of water infrastructure projects.

During the session, the participants asked two crucial questions, including:

• How can countries better integrate climate resilience into their infrastructure planning?
• What are the trade-offs when using carbon markets to finance water projects?

Participants suggested enhancing regional cooperation to share knowledge on best practices and improve transparency and accountability in implementing water infrastructure projects.

Agreed Actions

Participants suggested developing actionable strategies to incorporate climate resilience in all new infrastructure projects. They also agreed to focus on capacity building to ensure that projects are bankable and attract necessary investments. Overall, the session spotlighted the urgency of incorporating climate resilience into water infrastructure projects to ensure sustainable development in Africa. It highlighted the critical need for capacity building and innovative financing mechanisms to address the challenges of climate change and population growth.

10th World Water Forum Updates: Day 2 African Events

Bali, Indonesia – May 21, 2024

Day 2 of the 10th World Water Forum saw a critical session on “Mobilising Political Commitment for Accelerating Climate-Resilient Water Investments in Africa.” GWPSA, AUDA-NEPAD, AUC, and AMCOW convened the session from 10:20 to 11:50 AM in Kintamani 7. The session focused on transforming political commitments into actionable investments in Africa’s water sector.

In his opening remarks, HE Jakaya Kikwete, the Alternate Chair of the AUC’s IHL Panel, emphasised the critical need for immediate action. UN Deputy Secretary-General HE Amina Mohamed echoed his sentiments, stressing that Africa’s water security is crucial for sustainable development.

Ministerial Contributions

Statements from ministers of Namibia, Egypt (current AMCOW President), Uganda, Zimbabwe, Senegal, and Tanzania all converged on a common theme: while political commitments abound, the urgent challenge is their implementation. They highlighted the necessity for domestic resource mobilisation and public sector reforms to stimulate a conducive environment for private-sector investment.

Insights from Panel Discussion

A robust panel discussion featuring African Development Bank (AfDB/AWF) representatives, World Bank, UNCDF, UNICEF, GWP, and the European Commission explored strategies to scale up and accelerate investments. The discussion underscored that 90% of current investments in the water sector come from public funds, with private sector contributions lagging at just 10%.

Identified Challenges and Solutions

Participants identified three primary challenges: the gap between political commitments and actionable implementation, the paradox of Africa’s abundant resources juxtaposed with widespread poverty, and the water sector’s limited appeal to private investors.

To address these, innovative solutions such as blended finance were proposed. The Green Bond issued by TANGA Waterboard in Tanzania, which saw overwhelming investor interest, was cited as a successful model of domestic resource mobilisation.

Participants agreed on several actions to drive progress, such as developing clear plans to translate political commitments into tangible actions, enhancing domestic revenue streams to finance water infrastructure and implementing public sector reforms to attract private investment.

It appears that the issue is not a lack of commitment but a need for action kept recurring in the ministerial statements. The panel discussion highlighted “Blended finance, like Tanzania’s Green Bond, as showing the way forward. The session underscored the urgent need to convert political promises into concrete actions, leveraging domestic resources and reforming public sectors to ensure a climate-resilient water future for Africa.

Bali, Indonesia – May 22, 2024

On the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum, Dr Rashid Mbaziira, the Executive Secretary of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), paid a courtesy call to Nizar Baraka, the Hon. Minister of Equipment and Water of the Kingdom of Morocco. The meeting took place at the Moroccan Pavilion, where we discussed the Kingdom of Morocco’s strong commitment to AMCOW’s goals and its recent election into the AMCOW Policy Organs as Vice President for northern Africa for the 2025-2027 term.

During the meeting, the Executive Secretary thanked the Minister for strengthening Morocco’s commitment to AMCOW and apprised him and his team about the significant activities AMCOW is undertaking. Key among these is the implementation of the AMCOW Strategy, the preparation for the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and the upcoming Africa Water Week. The Executive Secretary emphasised the importance of Morocco’s continued support and encouraged the Minister to consider opportunities to back these initiatives.

The Minister of Water Resources, keen on the developments within AMCOW, inquired about the progress of a roadmap for the post-2025 Africa Water Vision. He stated, “We are glad to be identified with AMCOW, and as the vision is being developed, we are expectant and willing not only to align ourselves but also to provide the needed support to ensure that the vision is implemented.”

This meeting reflects the collaborative efforts between AMCOW and its member states, aiming to enhance water resource management and sanitation across Africa. The commitment from the Kingdom of Morocco sets a promising precedent for future initiatives and collective actions in addressing water challenges on the continent.

As the preparations for the post-2025 Africa Water Vision advance, the support and involvement of countries like Morocco will be vital in achieving sustainable water solutions for the region.

Bali, Indonesia, 20 May 2024 –

The 10th World Water Forum commences today with a grand opening ceremony, marking the beginning of another edition of the largest global convention dedicated to water. Throughout 18-25 May 2024, global leaders, heads of international organisations, high-level government officials, experts, scholars, entrepreneurs, and economists will converge to share their knowledge, experiences, and practices on a wide range of water-related topics. This prestigious event seeks to address and strategise solutions for pressing water issues.

A significant moment in the Forum’s history, particularly for Africa, was the Africa Water Vision 2025 launch during the second Forum in 2000. The 2024 World Water Forum is determining for the continent as it will outline and endorse the region’s priorities and supply more impetus to the post-2025 Africa Water Vision.

The African region, spearheaded by the African Union-mandated African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), will be duly represented in the Forum following extensive regional consultations in the past months. Through the collaboration of the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), AMCOW and the African Water Facility (AWF), the 10th Forum is hosting an African Pavilion. The Pavilion will be a hub for information and knowledge sharing, facilitating bilateral engagements among Africa’s water partners. The pavilion will feature 18 technical discussions by African institutions, clustered into seven sessions throughout the week from 20-25 May. The 10th World Water Forum will also deliver more African events, including nine regional processes, one side event, two special sessions, two high-level panels, and one Africa Regional Process Synthesis Session.

Africa invites participants to join these events, with detailed programmes available through AMCOW’s Mailchimp and social media platforms. Click the following link for a more comprehensive programme: https://worldwaterforum.org/provisional-agenda  

About the World Water Forum

The World Water Forum, co-hosted by the World Water Council and a host city every three years since 1997, is more than a conference. It includes a three-year preparatory phase, a one-week event phase, and a synthesis phase to present results and support collective action. The Forum unites diverse stakeholders from politics, multilateral institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Participation has grown from a few hundred to tens of thousands from the international community and host countries. For more information and a comprehensive programme of the Forum, please visit the World Water Forum official website: https://worldwaterforum.org/