Niël Terblanché
Africa has to step forward in its collective effort to address the continent’s water challenges, with a specific focus on strategic planning, resource optimisation, and collaborative action to ensure sustainable water access for all its people.
On Wednesday, Calle Schlettwein, Namibia’s Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, at the 24th African Water Facility (AWF) Governing Council Meeting in Abidjan, Ghana, stressed the critical need for prioritising and optimising funding to enhance access to water across Africa.
Schlettwein, in his role as the Chairperson of the AWF Governing Council, opened the session by highlighting the pressing global issues impacting water security, including geopolitical tensions, environmental degradation, and economic disparities.
He stressed the necessity of directing scarce resources towards water initiatives that directly benefit those in need.
“Our role is to ensure that the scarce funding for the most valuable basic resource for living and development, water, are prioritised and put to optimal use to benefit those in need,” he said.
Reflecting on the Facility’s achievements, Schlettwein said the successful implementation of the Revised Strategy of 2017-2025, has guided the AWF in fulfilling its core mandates.
He also reiterated the extensive advocacy efforts undertaken by the AWF team, which have garnered new interest from partners and donors globally.
Schlettwein said this development was discussed at the African Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII), launched earlier in 2024.
“This initiative aims to mobilise substantial investments to improve urban sanitation across the continent,” he said.
According to Schlettwein, the AWF has also developed a new Investment Promotion Strategy with technical assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has recently joined the AWF Governing Council.
He said that the Governing Council is preparing for the next strategic phase, covering 2026-2030.
“This involves a comprehensive mid-term review of the current strategy and the development of a robust plan to address future challenges in water and sanitation,” he said.
Schlettwein reiterated the importance of the Council’s deliberations in enhancing access to water and sanitation across Africa.
“As we take stock of the past and prepare for the future of AWF, please let me stress that I see our deliberations are of the utmost importance for the future of increased access to water and sanitation in Africa,” he said.
The AWF, established in 2004 by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), serves as a central platform for promoting sustainable water management and improving access to clean water and sanitation, particularly in urban settings.
The meeting’s agenda includes reviewing recommendations from previous sessions, operationalising AUSII, discussing the findings of the current strategy review, receiving updates from AMCOW on the development of the New Africa Water Vision, and adopting the AWF’s work plan and budget for 2025.
Additionally, participants will assess the progress of ongoing projects and commemorate the AWF’s 18th anniversary.
Dr Hani Sewilam, Egypt’s Minister for Water Resources and Irrigation, is set to assume the role of AWF Chairperson in 2025.
