The event will be hosted by H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, and H.E Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chair of Global Water Partnership Southern Africa and Africa Coordination Unit (GWPSA-Africa).
Addressing Africa’s urgent and growing water investment gap
“Delivery of water investments in Africa is lagging behind the continent’s economic and social needs. The African Development Bank estimates that US $64 billion is required annually to meet the 2025 Africa Water Vision of Water Security for All but the actual figure invested stands at just US $10-US $19 billion per year,” said Mr. Alex Simalabwi, Executive Secretary of GWPSA-Africa.
GWPSA-Africa is convening the High-Level Water Investment Conference, in collaboration with the Africa Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), African Ministers Council on Water, African Development Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), UNICEF, World Bank, Development Bank of Southern Africa; and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Water, Energy, and Minerals in Zanzibar.
“One of the biggest challenges faced by water project owners in Africa is securing the resources and financing for preparation of bankable projects necessary for attracting investments,” said Mr. Simalabwi. “This event will explore ways to unlock investments from domestic and international sources, including the private sector.”
“Also the agenda will be specific on water challenges such as climate change, transboundary water cooperation, ground water management, and private sector engagement in water projects,” added Mr. Simalabwi.
Stakeholder presentation of the AIP Water Investment Scorecard
In April 2021, the Conference convenors initiated the development of a unique data-based tool – the AIP Water Investment Scorecard – to support African countries to track progress in mobilizing investments, identifying bottlenecks, and taking action to narrow the water investment gap.
The process is being led by AUDA-NEPAD with support from African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), African Development Bank, UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, GWPSA-Africa, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, International Water Management Institute, United Nations Environmental Programme, Development Bank Southern Africa, International Union for Conservation of Nature, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, Sanitation and Water for All, WaterAid, C40, Stockholm International Water Institute, Care International, and other partners.
‘The AIP Scorecard will accompany the implementation of transboundary water projects prioritised under PIDA-PAP 2 and become part of the modus operandi of the AUDA-NEPAD delivery model’, said Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD.
The AIP Scorecard development is aligned with AMCOW’s Pan-African Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO), under the Financing Theme.
“During the investment conference, the AIP Water Investment Scorecard, its framework, and proposed indicators will be presented to stakeholders,” said Dr. Towela Nyirenda-Jere, Head of Economic Integration at AUDA-NEPAD.
“The Scorecard will ensure targeted interventions and actions to mobilise water investments; and will promote mutual accountability through tracking progress and sustaining political commitment to act and serve as a tool to engage with public and private investors,” added Dr. Nyirenda-Jere.
Innovative investment opportunities to be showcased
The High-Level Water Investment Conference will take place on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania, which like many African states, faces growing water stress exacerbated by climate change, saltwater intrusion, a growing population, and industrialisation.
“We hope that this conference showcases the multitude of innovative investment opportunities in the water and blue economy sectors that exist in Zanzibar and on the rest of the continent,” said Dr. Mngereza Mzee Miraji, Principal Secretary Ministry of Water, Energy, and Minerals, Zanzibar.
“Key amongst these is the Zanzibar Water Investment Programme, which will address current and projected water demand on the island by ensuring sustainable investments in water resources management and service provision,” added Dr. Miraji.
The Zanzibar Water Investment Programme will be launched at the Conference, and various innovation technologies for water and sanitation will be exhibited.
Conference participation will include local stakeholders from Zanzibar, diplomats, ambassadors, bilateral development partners stakeholders from across Africa, River Basin organizations, and water ministries. Attendance may be physical at the conference venue, the Melia Hotel, Zanzibar, or virtual via the Zoom platform.
Further information about the conference, including agenda and Zoom registration link, is available online here.
Queries regarding physical attendance may be addressed to Michelle Saffy at michelle.saffy@gwpsaf.org and Dalhat Mussa at info@majismz.go.tz.
Media queries may be addressed to Leticia Ngorima at Leticia.ngorima@gwpsaf.org and Dalhat Mussa at info@majismz.go.tz.
Queries regarding sponsorship and exhibition at the High-Level Water Investment Conference may be addressed to Dr. Victor Kongo at victor.kongo@gwpsaf.org and Mwadini M. Hajji at mwadinihaji@majismz.go.tz.
About the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) and AIP Water Investment Scorecard:
The Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government adopted the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) as part of Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa – Priority Action Plan 2 (PIDA-PAP 2) during the 34th ordinary session of African Union summit on 7th February 2021. The goal of the AIP is to leverage US $30 billion in climate-resilient water investments by 2030 and create 5 million jobs. The objective of the AIP is to enhance job creation through gender sensitive investments in water security, industrialisation, and climate resilient development. The AIP supports countries to develop and accelerate implementation of gender transformative climate resilient regional and national water investment programmes and projects and contributes towards continental efforts on universal access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene and integration of water security in COVID-19 economic recovery plans. https://aipwater.org/
Further information about the AIP Water Investment Scorecard is available here.