The High-Level Panel Expert Advisory Core Group supporting the production of the High-Level Report to be issued by the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa held its third and final meeting for 2022 on 5 December.
The group’s first meeting, chaired by the African Union Commission and AUDA-NEPAD, adopted the Panel road map; while the second meeting adopted a campaign for the Panel as well as scope of the panel report.
During the third meeting, the group confirmed that the report will be released in two parts. The first part will contain high-level recommendations and pathways on how countries may mobilise US$ 30 billion annually by 2030 towards achieving SDG 6 in Africa. This component will be prepared for launch during the UN 2023 Water Conference in March 2023 in New York. The second part of the report will contain an investment plan and will be prepared for launch during the UN General Assembly in September 2023.
The Expert Advisory Group also reviewed the results of 10 AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecards produced for 10 pilot African countries during 2022, as these will inform the High-Level Report. The AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard enhance mutual accountability and track key areas for water investments and scorecards will be produced for all African Union member states.
The 10 scorecard pilots revealed that African countries would benefit from dedicated water investment plans that clearly outline national plans to direct financing to the sector from different sources. The pilot scorecards found significant gaps in data around water pricing and use efficiency – this affects countries ability to attract private sector investments. The inclusion of women in decision making around water was also deemed to be important, as was having a strong policy focus on water.
A Pan-African stakeholder consultation on the development of the High-Level Report will take place online 14:00-16:00 CAT on 15th December. All stakeholders working in the water sector in Africa (public and private sectors) are invited to register to attend here. The consultation will be convened by the African Union Commission with support from the Panel Convenors’ Secretariat and AIP Technical Support Unit.