Africa Water Investment Summit Launches to Mobilize $30 Billion Annually for Continental Water Projects
Addis Ababa, August 14, 2025 (FMC) – The inaugural Africa Water Investment Summit commenced in Cape Town, South Africa, with a strong call to secure safe and sustainable water access for all Africans.
Convened by South Africa under its G20 presidency and jointly organized with the African Union (AU), the AU Development Agency, and the African Union–Africa Water Investment Program (AU-AIP) International High-Level Panel on Water Investments, the summit seeks to mobilize at least $30 billion annually to bridge Africa’s water investment gap.
The three-day gathering aims to accelerate investment in Africa’s water and sanitation sector by promoting a pipeline of investible projects, fostering enabling conditions for landmark partnerships, and facilitating transformative financing mechanisms.
African heads of state, G20 representatives, investors, ministers, and leaders from development institutions are attending the summit under South Africa’s G20 theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”
In his opening address, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the event as “a landmark moment not only for Africa but for the global movement to ensure safe water for all.” He also inaugurated the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, a G20 presidential legacy initiative aimed at scaling the AU-AIP into a global platform for water investment.
“The Global Outlook Council and the Global Water Investment Platform will serve as the world’s premier high-level political and investment forum on water,” Ramaphosa said.
He highlighted four key objectives for the summit:
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Endorse a summit declaration committing to scale up investments, enhance governance, and strengthen accountability in the water sector.
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Present a pipeline of 80 priority water investment projects across 38 African countries.
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Facilitate matchmaking between governments, financial institutions, and partners.
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Elevate water to a central position on the global political and financial agenda.
“The Council will guide the shift from fragmented water investments toward a coordinated, well-capitalized global effort through the Global Water Investment Platform,” Ramaphosa added.
The Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), adopted by AU Heads of State in 2021 as part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, was designed to transform Africa’s investment landscape in water and sanitation.
Throughout the summit, delegates will participate in high-level dialogues, project matchmaking sessions, and work toward the adoption of a Declaration on Water Investments at the event’s conclusion, according to Xinhua.