Tool to track and mobilise sustainable water investments in Africa kicks in

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has formally launched a first of its kind for Africa scorecard to track progress in mobilisation of investments towards water security during its 7th annual conference on the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) in Nairobi, Kenya, 1-4 March 2022.

“This new instrument is expected to go a long way towards accelerating investment mobilisation and enhancing mutual accountability in the implementation of PIDA water projects,” said H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, Chief Executive of AUDA-NEPAD.

“As part of the implementation strategy for PIDA PAP 2, AUDA has added the AIP-PIDA Water Investment scorecard to the suite of delivery instruments that support the implementation of PIDA- PAP 2,” added Dr. Mayaki.

The AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard was developed in acknowledgement of the critical role that water plays in contributing to Africa’s social-economic development, the intra-corridor approach, facilitating rural connectivity and economic viability, including contribution to implementation of the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Free Movement of Goods and People and the goals of Agenda 2063.

Delivery on water investments in Africa is lagging behind the continent’s economic and social needs and behind the other growth sectors. The African Development Bank estimates that the USD64bn should be invested into African water security each year to meet the Africa Water Vision of water security for all. The actual figure invested is USD10-19bn, leaving an annual investment gap of USD45bn-59bn.  

The AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard will support the efforts of the AIP (Continental Africa Water Investment Programme), in mobilising USD30billion a year towards the investments in water security in Africa by 2030. 

“The AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard will track progress, identify bottlenecks, and take action to meet the investment needs for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 targets of universal access to water and sanitation for all by 2030,” said H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Chair: Global Water Partnership Southern Africa and Africa Coordination Unit (GWPSA-Africa) and former President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Dr Mayaki called on all stakeholders to make their individual contributions to amplify the case of water investments through the framework of the Scorecard, that will ensure that African Union

Heads of State consistently have it on their sights and have mutual accountability in keeping the subject of water investments high on the political agenda.

GWPSA-Africa served as the Secretariat for the development of the AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard, under AUDA-NEPAD leadership and in collaboration with African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), African Development Bank, Development Bank of Southern Africa, and COMESA. Over 25 international developmental organisations provided technical support to the Scorecard’s development.

Addressing dozens of delegates at during the hybrid conference former president Kikwete said the launch of the scorecard was a momentous occasion in the history of efforts to transform and develop the water and sanitation sector in Africa.

H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Chair: GWPSA-Africa and former President of theUnited Republic of Tanzania (Centre) .

“Today’s efforts are aimed at translating into the people of Africa getting enough safe and clean drinking water for social and economic needs,” said H.E. Jakaya Kikwete.

The launch of the scorecard is a game changer for the development Africa’s water and sanitation sector and efforts to provide clean and safe drinking water for basic needs and water for economic development requirements.

Following the launch of the Scorecard, AUDA-NEPAD with support from GWP-Africa and development partners will now embark on operationalisation of the scorecard starting with country capacity development, refinement of indicators and methodologies for data collection and analysis. The scorecard will also be profiled at the Zanzibar Water Investment Conference March 10 and 12that will be hosted by H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, and H.E. Jakaya Kikwete.  

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