Background

The African Union–Africa Water Investment Summit 2025 will take place from 13–15 August 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. This landmark event—convened under South Africa’s G20 Presidency—brings together African Heads of State, global investors, ministers, private sector leaders, and development institutions in a unified call to close Africa’s US$30 billion annual water investment gap.

The Summit is jointly organised by the Republic of South Africa, the African Union in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD, and the AU-AIP International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa. Together, they are mobilising the political momentum, financial capital, and institutional partnerships needed to deliver climate-resilient water and sanitation for all.

A premier platform to translate commitments into investment

The 2025 Summit will serve as the premier platform to translate political will into investment commitments. Anchored in the G20 theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” the Summit seeks to demonstrate Africa’s leadership in climate and water resilience while attracting strategic capital flows from global markets.

Delegates will participate in high-level dialogues, engage in project matchmaking sessions, and contribute to a Declaration on Water Investments that will influence both continental and global development agendas—including preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Above all, this is a moment for catalytic action: a continental call to align political priorities with bold investment, create lasting partnerships, and build a prosperous, climate-secure future for Africa.

A historic moment- first G20 Summit on African soil

On 3 December 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025 would champion the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’—a vision to bring African and Global South priorities to the G20 stage. This historic moment marks the first time the G20 Summit will be held on African soil, following the African Union’s admission as a G20 member.

Speaking at Davos 2025, President Ramaphosa emphasized the urgency of addressing glaring inequalities in economic capabilities, human development, and access to predictable financing. He outlined South Africa’s G20 goals: scaling climate finance, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income nations, and boosting resilience to climate-induced disasters through infrastructure investment.

Water and sanitation sit at the heart of this vision. Yet Africa faces a significant financing gap: an estimated US$30 billion annually is needed to meet growing demand. Investment in water is not just an infrastructure goal—it is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering equality, and securing a climate-resilient future.

The Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), adopted by African Heads of State in 2021 as a PIDA initiative, is the AU’s flagship response to transform the continent’s water investment landscape. Recognised under the AU Climate Strategy (2022–2032), the AIP is unlocking ambition, reform, and financing to close Africa’s water investment gap by 2030.

Global Outlook Council to drive momentum beyond the Summit

To drive political momentum beyond the Summit, the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments will be inaugurated during the Summit, a world-class high-level body composed of current and former Heads of State, global business and philanthropic leaders, and senior public-sector figures, with a mission to champion water investments at the highest levels of global diplomacy, notably through the G20,
COP, UN, and other international forums.

Summit leadership and governance structure

The Africa Water Investment Summit 2025 is underpinned by a strong leadership and governance framework to ensure political coherence, operational efficiency, and accountability.

Convening Leaders

The Summit is spearheaded by South Africa in collaboration with the African Union and the High-Level Panel Co-Chairs, Senegal, and Namibia; and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Their leadership affirms the continental mandate and elevates the Summit’s political gravitas.

Steering Group

Co-Chaired by the African Union Commission and H.E. Jakaya Kikwete in his capacity as Alternate Co-Chair of the High-Level Panel, the Steering Group includes key Ministers from South Africa, Senegal, Namibia, and invited representatives from the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (TBC). This group sets the strategic direction and ensures alignment with continental and global processes.

Working Group

The Working Group provides operational support to the AU Commission and South Africa,and includes representatives from sector ministries, GWP, the Water Research Commission, and international water leaders. It oversees technical, financial, and logistical coordination.

Summit AU-AIP Secretariat

Hosted by African Union’s AIP Secretariat at Global Water Partnership Southern Africa, the Secretariat coordinates daily planning, stakeholder engagement, logistics, and reporting. Six workstreams cover Political Coordination, Budgeting, Communications, Logistics, Content Development, and Partnerships. The Water
Research Commission leads the national coordination across South Africa.