Africa Needs $30 Billion Annually to Bridge Water and Sanitation Gap
By Carolyne Tomno
Water experts and development officials call for stronger governance, increased financing and regional cooperation to secure the continent’s water future. Speaking during a roundtable discussion on African water security, they emphasized that water must be treated not only as a basic human need but also as a strategic resource for economic transformation, sustainable industrialization and climate resilience.
Nelson Gomonda, the acting Executive Secretary of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), says sustainable water access depends on accountability, effective institutions and collaboration among governments, civil society and communities.
Speaking during a roundtable discussion on African water security, “AMCOW strongly believes that sustainable water availability can only be achieved through good water governance, robust accountability, and active multi-stakeholder dialogue,”
Water as an engine of economic transformation
Participants called for a shift in how African countries view water, arguing that its contribution to economic growth must be central to development planning.
Tobias Schmitz, researcher, and Editor-in-Chief of The Water Diplomat, argued that water should no longer be considered solely in terms of access to a basic service, but also as a strategic driver of Africa’s economic transformation.
“Africa needs to find solutions to sustainable industrialization” also highlighted the need to attract greater investment into the water sector.
The discussions focused on the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy, which seeks to improve access to safely managed water, sanitation and hygiene services while strengthening resilience to climate change and water-related disasters. Its first implementation plan covers 2026–2033.
Cooperation needed to prevent water conflicts
Jean-Paul Adam the Director for Policy, Monitoring and Advocacy in the Office of the Special Advisor on Africa to the United Nations Secretary General, says all stakeholders must be involved in water-related decision-making, including marginalised communities whose needs should not be overlooked.
He added that transboundary water resources should be managed equitably to protect competing national and community interests which could generate tensions if not managed equitably.
Discussions cited cooperation among countries sharing the Senegal River basin and existing regional water-sharing arrangements as examples of how countries can work together to manage common resources.
The Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy promotes stronger governance structures and cooperation through regional economic communities and organisations responsible for shared river basins.Participants also pointed to the importance of protecting water catchments and managing existing infrastructure more effectively.
Communities must be at the centre
Speakers called for water planning that takes into account the needs of communities, local authorities and different economic sectors.
They argued that water management should be participatory, with decisions informed by the demands of agriculture, livestock production, mining, industry and urban settlements.
The Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy promotes stronger governance structures and cooperation through regional economic communities and organisations responsible for shared river basins.
