Cape Town became the stage for a historic moment in global water diplomacy between 13–15 August 2025, as more than 1,700 delegates gathered for the inaugural Africa Water Investment Summit. Among them were 38 African Water Ministers, together with delegations from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Barbados, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom. They were joined by financiers, civil society, academics, and diplomats, all united by a single goal: to close Africa’s vast water investment gap.
Presiding over the event under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa captured the significance of the gathering:
“This Summit is a landmark moment not only for Africa, but for the global movement for access to safe water for all. If we rise together, water can become not just a means of survival but a driver of economic transformation, innovation and peace.”
The Summit carried weight at the highest political levels. In attendance or represented were leaders including King Mswati III of Eswatini, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, and President Duma Boko of Botswana. They were joined by global partners: President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE (represented by H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan), Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados (represented by Senior Minister William Duguid), President Paul Kagame of Rwanda (represented by Dr. Jimmy Gasore), and President Brahim Ghali of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (represented by H.E. Mohamed Yeslem Beissat).
The Cape Town Declaration on Africa Water Investment in the context of G20 adopted at the Summit reaffirms Africa’s urgent need for investment, noting a USD 30 billion annual financing gap. Delegates welcomed preliminary investment pipelines valued at USD 10–12 billion per year, presented by development banks, investors, bilateral partners, and governments. Importantly, this figure excludes further pledges expected to be consolidated through the online portal established during the Summit — a clear signal that Africa’s financing momentum is building.
“This summit, convened under South Africa’s historic G20 Presidency, has been more than a gathering, it has been a call to action, a platform for transformation, and a proof to Africa’s leadership in climate-resilient water security and safe sanitation. The Summit Declaration commits us to scaling up investments, improving governance, and increasing accountability in the water sector,” said H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission.
Global Outlook Council Launched
Host Minister Hon. Pemmy Majodina, South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, thanked investors for their commitments and urged for even greater investment to transform Africa’s water sector.
One of the most celebrated outcomes was the launch of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, established as a G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative of South Africa. This body will serve as the premier high-level platform to champion water globally, align financing with climate and development priorities, and track commitments leading into the 2026 UN Water Conference.
President Ramaphosa emphasised its global mission:
“The Global Outlook Council and the Global Water Investment Platform will serve as the world’s premier high-level political and investment platform on water. It will track progress, unlock finance, report annually and align efforts across the G20, UN, multilateral development banks and the private sector.”
From the Caribbean, Senior Minister William Duguid, speaking for Prime Minister Mottley, strongly endorsed the Council:
“This is why initiatives like the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments are so crucial. The Council provides a vital platform for action—action that will ensure that water remains a global priority. The task ahead is clear: we must build partnerships, mobilize investments, and sustain political momentum to secure water for all.”
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Water, Abdulaziz Alshaibani, reminded delegates of the Kingdom’s global leadership:
“It is beyond any doubt that the gap in achieving SDG 6 globally has widened, with a large proportion attributed to lack of financing, a challenge this Summit is addressing.”
He urged G20 leaders to take the agenda further: “With this Summit highlighting the interlinkages between water, economy, investment, and financing, the G20 Presidency of South Africa can contemplate in its declaration a call for a future G20 Water Working Group… aligning with the G20 mandate to promote global economic growth.”
Leaders Recognized in the Presidential Water Changemaker Awards
The Summit also honoured leadership through the Presidential Global Water Changemakers Awards, presented by President Boko and King Mswati III.
His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, G20 Chair, recognised for launching the G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative – Global Outlook Council on Water Investments and hosting the AU-AIP Africa Water Investment Summit.
Saudi Arabia was recognized for initiating the first-ever G20 Water Dialogues in 2020. Saudi Arabia also launched the Global Water Organization (GWO) as a transformative initiative to drive global cooperation on water security, sustainable development, peace, and innovation.
The UAE was recognized for co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference with Republic of Senegal, sustaining high-level global water diplomacy that prioritises investment and solidarity, elevating water in the global climate agenda through COP28 and promoting inclusive, blended finance models.
Senegal was acknowledged for its leadership in launching the Africa Water Investment Panel in 2022, co-hosting the upcoming UN 2026 Water Conference with the UAE, and sustaining high-level global water diplomacy that prioritises investment and solidarity.
Lesotho was acknowledged for its advocacy in regional cooperation, championing the Lesotho Highlands Water Project as a model of transboundary cooperation for peace, resilience, and sustainable development.
Tanzania was recognised for pledging USD 6 billion in domestic water investments by 2030 through the Tanzania Water Investment Programme, advancing national and continental leadership in the water and climate space through strategic reforms, financing partnerships, and inclusive governance.
Sustained Action for Water Investments
As the Summit closed, President Ramaphosa left delegates with a call to action:
“Water investment must no longer be an afterthought at climate and finance discussions. It must be at the centre. It must be financed, tracked and championed. Let us build a world where every drop counts and every community thrives… It is now in our hands.”
Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, now Alternate Co-Chair of the Global Outlook Council, reinforced this momentum.
“The Africa Water Investment Programme began as a vision to close the investment gap. Today, with the Global Outlook Council, we are taking that vision globally. Let us turn commitments into action, and action into results for the millions still waiting for safe water and sanitation. This is the legacy we must build together.”
Deputy Minister Alshaibani of Saudi Arabia extended the vision forward:
“As Riyadh will be hosting the 11th World Water Forum in 2027, we look forward to the participation of all in this journey—towards action for a better water future through investment and financing.”
Leadership Continuity
The Summit convenors, the African Union Commission and the Government of South Africa, commended the Summit Secretariat, led by Mr. Alex Simalabwi, CEO of the Global Water Partnership Organization (GWPO, for its central role in the Summit’s success. President Cyril Ramaphosa has since formally invited Mr. Simalabwi to serve as Head of the Global Outlook Council Secretariat, ensuring continuity and momentum as the Council embarks on its global mandate to champion water investments.
A Turning Point for Water
The Cape Town Summit was a political and financial watershed. It mobilised billions in preliminary investment, launched a permanent high-level Council on Water Investments, honoured visionary leadership, and secured the continuity of stewardship for the journey ahead.
The story of Cape Town 2025 is one of momentum: Africa’s water future is no longer a distant aspiration. It is being funded, tracked, and championed globally.