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Climate change remains one of the most pressing global challenges, affecting vital sectors such as agriculture and water resources. For the Kingdom of Eswatini, these challenges are not just theoretical but a lived reality. Erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and recurrent floods pose significant threats to water security and sustainable development. In response, Eswatini is actively implementing initiatives to strengthen climate resilience in its water sector.

Over 70 representatives from fifteen African Union Member States gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from the 13 - 14 February 2025 for a training on AU Guidelines for the development of National Climate Resilient Water Investment Programmes. The training was part of the build-up to the 2025 AU-AIP Water Investment Summit which South Africa will host in the context of the G20 Presidency, and the 2026 UN Water Conference to be co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal.

The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa Board has announced the appointment of Mr. Andrew Takawira as the Interim Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment is effective 1 February 2025.

Fifteen African Union (AU) Member States that gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for the kick-off workshop of the AU-AIP Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Support Initiative have hailed the multi-country initiative saying it gives them a continental-wide platform to learn from each other in efforts to accelerate water and climate resilience investments through the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP).

The governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe have pledged their commitment to tackling social, economic, and environmental challenges on the increase in the Buzi, Pungwe, and Save (BUPUSA) River Basins, shared exclusively by the two countries. The commitment was expressed through the signing of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the BUPUSA Watercourses by ministers for water in the two countries, on 29 November 2024. The 10-year SAP was developed by the two governments with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and technical support from the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Robust transboundary water management systems are pivotal to mobilizing investments into water projects for economic growth, regional integration, and resilience to climate change.

In June 2024, Somalia concluded the implementation of a two-year Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme aimed at enhancing the country’s capacity to access climate finance. Approved in November 2021, the project was designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, as the country’s National Designated Authority (NDA) to access and manage climate finance, develop GCF Country Programme and develop investment concept notes. Implementation of these three main activities under the GCF Readiness Programme and its successful completion is a significant step in Somalia's journey towards climate resilience and sustainable development.

The governments of Angola and Namibia have officially endorsed and kickstarted the implementation of a joint transboundary water project titled "Enhanced Water Security and Community Resilience in the Adjacent Cuvelai and Kunene Transboundary River Basins." This initiative aims to address the pressing challenges of water scarcity, floods, and droughts in the Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins.