Plans to mobilise billions in funding for Africa’s water and sanitation sector are gaining traction as South Africa prepares to host a key preparatory meeting for the AU-Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Water Investment Summit 2025.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina will lead the discussions on the sidelines of the International Water Association (IWA) Congress in Cape Town. The meeting will set the stage for the August summit, where leaders and stakeholders will work towards securing at least $30 billion annually for climate-resilient water and sanitation projects across the continent.
According to South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the initiative aligns with the country’s G20 Presidency priorities, focusing on economic growth, climate sustainability, and development financing.
Government representatives, international agencies, private investors, and civil society groups are expected to take part in shaping the summit’s objectives, thematic areas, and outcomes. The meeting will also provide a platform to strengthen partnerships and secure financial commitments to drive investment in Africa’s water sector.
Among the prominent figures expected to participate in the summit are former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who chairs the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) and co-chairs the Africa Water Investment Panel, which includes current and former African heads of state. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is also a member of the panel.
Other key delegates include Arif Alkalali from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Water, Environment, and Agriculture, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement Anxious Jongwe Masuka, Zambia’s Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Collins Nzovu, and Senegal’s Minister of Water and Sanitation Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, who also leads the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).
