Preparations for the inaugural Africa Water Investment Summit in the context of the G20 Presidency of South Africa has reached an advanced stage with several partners pledging support to the Summit.
During a High-level Consultation on Mobilizing Commitments Towards the Water Investment Summit from 19th to 20th March 2025 in Cape Town, partners commended the convenors led by South Africa, the African Union Commission and the AIP High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa.
The Summit, scheduled to take place from 13 to15th August in Cape Town, will elevate the political and economic status of water investments, and enable the continent to mobilise commitments for implementing the African Union’s Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) towards climate-resilient water investments and elevate water to the G20 leaders. The AIP aims to mobilize at least $30 billion annually for climate-resilient water investments and close the water investment gap on the continent. Led by South Africa, the Summit aligns with the priorities of the G20 agenda on economic growth, climate sustainability, and enhanced financing for development.
H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of the Republic of Tanzania and Alternate Co-Chair of the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa in his keynote address emphasized the significance of integrating Africa’s water investment agenda into G20 priorities.
“This Summit is a unique opportunity to set the stage for mobilizing multi-billion-dollar-commitments and elevating water security as a core pillar in Africa’s economic transformation,” said H.E Kikwete.
Shortly after the Preparatory Consultation, on 24 March 2025, H.E. Kikwete met with His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal and Co-Chair of the AIP International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa and Hon. Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, Minister of Water – Senegal, and President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).
The leaders discussed the progress in the work of the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa and the progress in preparations towards the AU-AIP Water Investment Summit in the context of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
during a recent bilateral meeting
who is also President of AMCOW
H.E. Pemmy Majodina, South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, welcomed the support from partners and noted that:
“Water is now included in the G20 Interministerial Committee of South Africa as G20 Chair, which we welcome on behalf of the Global Water Agenda.”
“The AU-AIP Water Investment Summit provides a critical platform to elevate Africa’s water needs to the highest level.” H.E. Majodina is also a member of the GTC.
Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Alternate (Sous) G20 Sherpa for the Republic of South Africa commended the progress made in preparations to convene the Water Investment Summit.
“The ambition to elevate and accelerate issues of water on the continent to G20 leaders is important, and we should do our best, as South Africa, to support this initiative,” he said.
Her Excellency, Retno L.P. Marsudi, UN-Water Envoy and former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Indonesia underscored the importance of turning commitments into action.
“I hope that the Summit will be the best opportunity to generate global political commitments at the highest political level. G20 plays a significant role in garnering political support, putting water high in the global political agenda,” she said in a video message.
“We must ensure that political commitments are matched with concrete investments and innovations to drive sustainable water solutions.”
Henk Ovink, former Dutch Water Envoy, commended the focus on mobilising commitment at the highest level of global leadership.
“I’m honoured to accept my participation in the GTC alongside President Kikwete, Honourable Majodina, and other members to work closely with the G20 leaders to make water an anchor and cornerstone for sustainable development,” said Ovink.
Hon. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, President of the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), Minister of Water and Sanitation, Republic of Senegal, and Co-Host of the UN 2026 Water Conference committed support of African water ministers on the continent to the African Water investment Summit.
“We will ensure that outcomes of the AU-AIP Water Investment Summit feed into the UN 2026 Water Conference that will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).”
Speaking at the event, H.E Mahash Alhameli, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa (Co-Host UN 2026 Water Conference), stressed the importance of technology in addressing water challenges and committed UAE support to the G20 processes.
Meike van Ginneken, Water Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in a video message, commended the African Union and South Africa for their commitment in following the recommendations of the High Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa to mobilise domestic and international finance for water and engage the G20 leaders.
Meike van Ginneken, Water Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Making a presentation on behalf of H.E. Dr Abdulaziz Alshaibani, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Water, Eng. Arif Alkalali, General Supervisor of the General Directorate for Water Resources in the Ministry of Water, Environment, and Agriculture showcased highlights from the G20 White Paper on Water. He commended the strong partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of South Africa stating that the two countries have agreed to collaborate in elevating water to the top priority of the G20 global agenda. He urged countries to look at innovative ways to attract the private sector into investing in the water sector.
“What has enabled the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to privatize the water sector, and to move in that direction very quickly is the formation of what we call Saudi Water Partnership Company, an entity within the water sector that takes care of mobilising public-private partnerships. And this was a good vehicle to move to private investment into the water sector,” he explained.
Eng. Alkalali further invited water sector stakeholders to the kick-off meeting and 1st stakeholders meeting for the World Water Forum 2027 in Riyadh in April 2025. This event will serve as a crucial platform to discuss thematic regional political priorities, shaping road to the World Water Forum 2027.
Honourable Vangelis Peter Haritatos, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development emphasized that the realisation of the SDG 6 Agenda requires accelerated efforts and investments.
“Systems strengthening is required to increase climate resilient sector financing, leveraging on political capital, building strong, resilient institutions and coordination frameworks; improving regulation and accountability; enhancing capacity development, innovation, research and learning,” he explained.
Honourable Vangelis Peter Haritatos, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development emphasized that the realisation of the SDG 6 Agenda requires accelerated efforts and investments.
“Systems strengthening is required to increase climate resilient sector financing, leveraging on political capital, building strong, resilient institutions and coordination frameworks; improving regulation and accountability; enhancing capacity development, innovation, research and learning,” he explained.
At the same event, Alex Simalabwi, Chief Executive Officer of GWPO and GWP Executive Secretary commended the South African leadership for convening the Summit, pledging to continue to offer technical support to the convenors of the Summit.
Coalition of Partners’ Pledge Support Towards the Summit
Various partners including the Green Climate Fund, the African Development Bank, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the United Nations Capital Investment Fund, the German Development Corporation (GIZ), the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UNICEF, UNDP, World Meteorological Organization, International Water Management Institute and the Global Water Partnership Organization pledged to support the AU-AIP Water Investment Summit and water investments on the continent.
The African Development Bank pledged to increase financing commitments for water infrastructure across Africa.
“We stand in support of this AIP initiative. The basic idea is that effectively financing water investments considering the existing gap requires multifaceted support. Currently, the bank is providing on average USD 4 million per year for the continent. That’s not enough. Moving forward, we aim to increase these contributions to the water sector by increasing our financing commitments in Africa,” said Cecil Nundwe, speaking on behalf of Mr. Mtchera Chirwa, Director of the Water and Sanitation Department at the African Development Bank.
The Green Climate Fund said it was committed to continue to dedicate itself to supporting developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate variability and change.
“The GCF will continue to support the AIP Blended Finance Facility, leverage additional finance for water projects, and support countries in terms of readiness so that they can develop comprehensive projects and programs that will address climate-related challenges,” explained Joseph Instiful, GCF Senior Climate Information and Early Warning Systems Specialist
The Development Bank of Southern Africa is committed to developing more climate-resilient water infrastructure projects in the region and unlocking financing for project preparation.
“As the grants and fiscal capacity of many countries are shrinking, it is important that we find innovative ways of funding infrastructure, especially in water. DBSA is committed to availing our funding instruments and beginning to use our leverage on accreditations that we have,” explained Mr. Chuene Williams Ramphele, Group Executive, Infrastructure Delivery, DBSA.
The United Nations Capital Investment Fund (UNCDF) pledged to support making water projects more bankable and help unlock domestic finance through innovative financial structures.
“UNDDF invests in different projects, with water projects being among them. We use concessional loans, guarantees, and quasi-equity which we use to mobilize private funding,” explained Anders Berlin, Director of the Least Developed Countries’ Investment Platform, UNCDF.
“UNCDF will help to make the projects more bankable and ensure that we are being innovative in financial structures and see that they can be replicated and scaled.”
The German Development Corporation says it will continue to support the development of post-2025 Africa Water Vision and concrete investment programs in several African countries. Angelika Wasielke, GIZ Team Leader explained that through the Blue Africa project, Team Europe is working with the African Union Commission and AMCOW to develop the post-2025 water vision and hoped that water investment and financing issues would also be included in the vision.
FCDO commended South Africa for utilizing its G20 Presidency to bridge the gap between leadership, momentum, and tangible actions on the ground.
“FCDO looks forward to harnessing the momentum of the leadership buy-in, to join with partners and continue to collaborate on and action the practical mechanisms required to take concrete steps towards water investment water users must pay more for their water. Farming and industry must transition to produce food in a less damaging way and accountability must be strengthened across the board,” said Nidhi Nepaul, Climate and Environment Adviser, FCDO.
On its part, UNICEF said it was strongly committed to the ambitions of the Africa investment program which are aligned with the organizations global water and sanitation strategy as well as our Africa strategy.
“We commit to unlocking domestic finance through improved sector coordination, strengthening water and sanitation policies and strategies, enhancing the data that we are using for pipeline development and impactful delivery of the Africa Water Investment Programme,” explained Farai Tunhuma, UNICEF’s Senior Advisor WASH: Water and Climate Resilience.
UNDP committed to using its Africa Sustainable Finance Hub hosted in Pretoria to continue to provide technical experts to work with African governments to put in place different innovative financing models and schemes, including the integrated national financing frameworks.
The World Meteorological Organization committed to continue producing annual State of Global Water Resources Reports to guide investment and policy decisions.
Dr. Henry Roman, Regional Representative of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) emphasized the need for collaboration especially in the African region where countries share water across the basins and aquifers. The organization pledged technical assistance to implement on the groundwork with governments.
GWP also announced the establishment of the GWPO HQ Transition Office in South Africa as a key step in the Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments aimed at elevating water to the G20 agenda.
“On behalf of GWP and our 2800 partners worldwide, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the headquarters of the GWPO Transition Office in South Africa,” said Hon. Pablo Bereciartua, Minister of Infrastructure, City of Buenos Aires -Argentina and Chair of GWP’s Global Board (Steering Committee).
“This office will be crucial in mobilising climate-resilient water investments across developing regions in the global south and will play an instrumental role in the Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments, and lead engagement with G20 leaders to prioritise climate-resilient water investments,” said Hon. Bereciartua.
On 19th March 2025, stakeholders discussed the Concept Note for the AU-AIP Water Investment Summit, the key themes of the Summit, including finance mobilization, policy and governance, and private sector engagement and the format of the Summit.
South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Water, Honourable David Mahlobo commended stakeholders who attended the high-level consultation. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Republic of South Africa’s Ministry of Water and Sanitation, the African Union Commission and other AU-affiliated organizations, International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, G20 Sherpa representatives and other G20 delegates, Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO), Development finance institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Private sector investors and Civil society and research institutions.
