African Union / AIP Water Investment Summit 2025

With $7.5 billion investments leveraged to date, the AIP is transforming the investment outlook for climate resilient water security and sustainable sanitation in Africa.

On 6 September 2023, African Heads of State and Government committed to support implementation of the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) as part of the Nairobi Declaration on climate change.

On 7 February 2021, during the 34th ordinary session of African Union Summit, the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government adopted the AIP transboundary projects as part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa – Priority Action Plan 2 under the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme.  

The AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy (2022-2032) recognizes the AIP as  a flagship initiative for transforming water systems.

Our 2030 impact targets

$30 billion

Leveraged towards climate resilient water and sanitation investments

250 million

People benefit from resilient water investments and economic opportunities

4 million

Indirect jobs for vulnerable, poor youth and women.

1 million

Direct jobs created through climate resilient water and sustainable sanitation

$7.5bn leveraged for water and sanitation investments to date. Read more about the AIP’s impact and results.

Join Africa’s Rising Investment Tide

Achieving water security and sustainable sanitation for all in Africa is possible by 2030 and is within the power of African leaders.
The landmark report by the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa outlines three pathways to secure an additional US$30 billion for water security and sustainable sanitation by 2030. Released during the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, the report is considered a significant and transformative outcome of the historic event.
During COP28, the AUC and High-Level Panel released a supporting Investment Action Plan which outlined 5 priority actions to mobilize an additional US$30bn for Africa. 
Download the Africa’s Rising Investment Tide Report in English and French.
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English Report

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French Report

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English Brochure

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French Brochure

Download the Africa’s Rising Investment Tide Action Plan in English and French.
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Eng Invest Plan

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Fr Invest Plan

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English Brochure

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French Brochure

Africa’s Water Investment Gap is Growing

Delivery of water investments across Africa is below target to meet the continent’s growing needs. It is estimated that at least $30 billion additional finance needs to be mobilised annually by 2030 to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 target on water and sanitation. Currently, only US$10-US$19 billion is invested each year. 

The water investment requirement is even larger for Africa to achieve the Africa Water Vision 2025, which requires an annual investment of US$64 billion/year, according to the African Development Bank.

The AIP is designed to narrow Africa’s water investment gap

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Establish a High-level Panel at Heads of States level, strengthen political commitment and leadership

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Assess the need for an International Blended investment Mechanism to leverage public- private partnership finance and investments

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Promote gender equality, climate resilience and empowerment of women and girls in water investments

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Develop and implement a water investment scorecard to enhance mutual accountability, transparency, efficiency and track progress in mobilisation of water investments

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Develop capacity to formulate and implement regional, transboundary, and national water investment programmes to narrow the water investment gap

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Enabling environment for water governance and capacity to access finance, enhance efficiency and sustainability of investments in water, sanitation and environmental protection improved

TARGETED INTERVENTIONS

International High-Level Panel

The AIP mobilises high-level political commitment and leadership for water security and sanitation investments, peace, and security.

AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard

The AIP enhances transparency and accountability in mobilisation of investments, track progress, set benchmarks, identify bottlenecks, and take action to meet Africa’s water investment and financing needs.

International Blended Investment Mechanism

The AIP promotes access to blended public-private finance for water security investments and adoption of innovative financing instruments; sovereign wealth funds, pensions, guarantees, private equity, climate finance, and others.

Climate Gender Resilience

The AIP promotes gender equality and empowerment of women, and foster integration of gender into institutional and decision-making processes of water investment programmes and implementation.

Regional, Transboundary, National Investment Programmes

The AIP develop water security, sanitation investment programmes and promote integration of water into economic planning and implementation of SDG 6 related targets on energy, food, ecosystems, health, and others.

Stakeholders

AIP TARGET BENEFICIARY COUNTRIES

Since 2020, the AIP has leveraged over $7.5 billion in investments towards the 2030 target of US$30 billion annually in additional finance. Over 40 countries have initiated relevant actions to transform the investment outlook for climate-resilient water security and sustainable sanitation:

Benin
Cameroon
Botswana
Burundi
Central African Republic
Chad
Congo Brazzaville
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Eswatini
Ghana
Guinea
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mali
Morocco
Mozambique
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zanzibar
Zambia