The International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa has called for a new paradigm and action on water to address water insecurity on the continent. The call was made during the opening ceremony of the Senegal Pavilion at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia on 20 May 2024.
Opening the Senegal Pavilion, Hon. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Senegal’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, highlighted the progress made by the International High-Level Panel while outlining the future trajectory.
Senegal’s minister reiterated the panel’s objective to bridge the water investment gap by mobilizing at least an additional US$30 billion and generating five million jobs, aligning with Africa’s Water Vision 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 water-related targets.
Senegal called for accelerated action and commitment to achieving water security across Africa. This vision is being pursued through the AIP, which was adopted by AU Heads of State in February 2022. The AIP is mobilizing investments to close the water investment gap in Africa estimated at US$45 – US$54 billion annually by 2030.
Senegal reaffirmed its commitment to mobilising high-level political commitment for the AIP under the leadership of H.E Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal and its Prime Minister, H.E Ousmane Sonko.
“Under the leadership of Senegal’s Prime Minister H.E. Ousmane Sonko, water is central to the structural transformation of Senegal’s economy and we are creating a new paradigm for water. We will not succeed in doing this and making the necessary changes without joining hands with all of our partners around the world,” said Hon. Dièye.
Senegal has acted as Co-Chair of the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa since its launch during the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar. The Panel includes current and former Heads of State and global leaders committed to harnessing high-level commitment and resources.
During the event, Mr. Alex Simalabwi, AIP CEO and Executive Secretary of Global Water Partnership-Africa, shed light on the progress and achievements of the High-Level Panel whose objective is to mobilize resources for the AIP.
“Among the highlights are the development of the AU’s High-Level Water Investment Action Plan which was launched last year in Dubai at COP28 as well as the High-Level Panel report, Africa’s Rising Investment Tide, launched at the UN 2023 Water Conference. The Water Investment Action Plan includes a pipeline of projects worth $37 billion from 23 African countries.
The Investment Action Plan and report delineate three actionable pathways and five priority actions to secure the necessary US$30 billion per year: achieving more impactful spending and leveraging, mobilizing domestic resources, and attracting global and continental investment and finance.
The AIP has so far leveraged US$ 7.5 billion towards water and sanitation in Africa. Senegal’s leadership as Co-Chair of the High-Level Panel has been pivotal.
“We applaud the leadership and commitment of Senegal to the water security agenda in Africa and global leadership role,” said Mr. Simalabwi during the event.
Headline photo courtesy of the 10th World Water Forum