Over $10 billion pledged at the AIP Water Investment Summit to tackle Africa's water crisis

Investment Programme (AIP) Water Investment Summit, which concluded here recently, has secured over $10 billion in commitments, signaling a significant step toward closing the continent's annual $30 billion water investment gap.

The three-day summit, opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa, gathered 1,690 delegates, including Heads of State, Ministers, and investors, to accelerate investments in climate-resilient water and sanitation.

South Africa’s Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, expressed her satisfaction with the summit’s outcome.

"In the last three days, we have identified governance, finance, capacity and data gaps in the water sector and together we commit to pay focused attention to these matters," Majodina said.

She noted that 80 priority water investment projects from 38 countries were identified, attracting an estimated projection of $10 to $12 billion a year in investments.

Minister Majodina called on governments to create a more attractive environment for investors by eliminating bureaucratic "red tape."

"Let us eliminate long and unnecessary red tape which undermines and discourages investment," she stated.

She added that "matchmaking sessions during the three days have managed to strengthen relations between governments, project developers, and financiers, building trust and paving way for long term collaborations."

The summit was aligned with South Africa's G20 Presidency priorities of rapid and inclusive economic growth, poverty eradication, and climate sustainability.

Hosted under the auspices of the African Union, the High-Level Panel on Water Investment for Africa, and South Africa's G20 Presidency, the event served as a "call to action," according to Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission.

"We came together with a shared mission: to close Africa’s $30 billion annual water investment gap, and we leave with renewed momentum, concrete commitments, and a bold vision for the future," Vilakati said.

He highlighted the critical role of water in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063, noting that inadequate investments have hampered progress.

The summit's outcomes will inform the African position on water investment ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will be hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates.

Commissioner Vilakati also announced that the African Union declared Water as the Theme for the Year 2026, expressing hope that this will further drive water investments on the continent.

IOL News