PANAFCON-3 Kicks Off in Lusaka: Ministers Embrace a Bold Vision for Africa’s Water and Sanitation Future
Lusaka, Zambia – 27 May 2025
The third Pan-African Conference on Water (PANAFCON-3) officially opened on Tuesday in Lusaka, Zambia, with a high-level Ministerial Session setting the tone for what is expected to be a landmark event. Ministers, water experts, and development partners gathered to deliberate on the draft Post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy,reaffirming the continent’s determination to place water at the heart of its development agenda.
Shaping Africa’s Water Vision
A central feature of the session was the presentation of eight bold Vision Statements, developed through subregional consultations held between March and April 2025. These statements are poised to shape the Post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy, positioning water as a strategic driver for inclusive development and economic growth.
The eight draft Vision Statements are:
- Universal access to safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
- Sustainable water availability to support transformed economies amidst climate uncertainty.
- Resilient people and ecosystems protected from water-related disasters.
- Transparent water governance rooted in subsidiarity and accountability.
- Water basins as assets for peace, regional integration, and shared prosperity.
- Skilled human capital and technology to drive resource management.
- Investment in integrated water information systems to support evidence-based decision-making.
- A thriving blue economy that harnesses Africa’s marine wealth for sustainable development.
Zambia Issues a Call to Action
Opening the Ministerial Session, H.E. Eng. Collins Nzovu, Zambia’s Minister for Water Development and Sanitation, called on delegates to respond to urgent challenges such as climate change, urbanization, pollution, and water scarcity.
“Let’s make today’s conversation count,” he urged. “Let us demonstrate Africa’s political determination to put words into action. May this meeting be a watershed moment in the continent’s journey towards water security and resilience.”
As host nation, Zambia underscored the importance of a bold, practical, and responsive water vision,one that reflects water’s vital role in advancing peace, development, and climate adaptation.
AUC and AMCOW: Bold Actions Are Needed
The African Union Commission (AUC) emphasized that water security is critical to achieving Agenda 2063.
H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, stated:
“Africa must recognise water as a critical resource and a powerful enabler of sustainable. socio-economic development.”
AMCOW President, H.E. Dr. Cheikh T. Dieye, Senegal’s Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, warned of rising pressures from population growth, rapid urbanization, and climate change. He called for greater investment, stronger institutions, and adaptive water systems:
“This is not just another meeting—it is a defining moment to transform our water and sanitation systems into engines of resilience, health, and prosperity.”
In March 2025, Senegal officially took over the AMCOW presidency from Egypt. As incoming chair, Senegal has committed to driving governance reforms, strengthening advocacy, and globally repositioning Africa’s water agenda.
AfDB Spotlights Financing Gaps
The African Development Bank (AfDB) presented sobering figures on Africa’s water financing needs. While the continent requires $50 billion annually, current investments range between $10–19 billion, resulting in a yearly funding gap of $30–40 billion.
The Bank flagged critical threats including rising public debt, falling official development assistance (ODA), and increasing climate shocks. However, it also highlighted opportunities in domestic resource mobilization, private sector investment, and climate finance to bridge the gap.
The Road to 2026: Building Momentum
With 2026 declared the African Union Year on Water and Sanitation, a series of key events in 2025 will help shape and finalize the Post-2025 Vision, including:
- AU AIP Investment Summit – Cape Town, 13–16 August
- AMCOW General Assembly
- Africa Climate Summit
- AU Specialized Technical Committee on Water and Environment
South Africa, which currently holds the G20 Presidency, used the platform to invite ministers to the AIP Investment Summit, further demonstrating Africa’s growing momentum to prioritize water investments and reforms.
From Declarations to Action
As PANAFCON-3 progresses, attention is now turning to how stakeholders will translate bold declarations into practical, measurable outcomes. The stakes are high. Africa’s socio-economic future, and its broader development path—will depend on realizing the conference theme:
“Assuring Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sanitation for the Africa We Want.”
Stay tuned for continued updates from PANAFCON-3 in Lusaka.
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