The United Arab Emirates and Senegal have taken a leading role in advancing water security across Africa, co-hosting a high-level session at the Africa Water Investment Summit in Cape Town to accelerate financing for climate-resilient water infrastructure ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
From 13 to 15 August, heads of state, ministers, development banks, private investors, and civil society leaders gathered to address Africa’s annual water investment shortfall, with only $10–19 billion mobilised against a $30 billion target. Globally, the financing gap stands at $6.7 trillion to 2030 and $22.6 trillion to 2050.
The summit, held under South Africa’s G20 presidency, highlighted the urgency of innovative financing models and public–private–philanthropic partnerships to bridge these gaps. It also marked a milestone in preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will place “Investments for Water” at the heart of its agenda.
Abdulla Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, stressed that the summit came at “exactly the right moment” to turn political consensus into concrete progress. AUDA-NEPAD CEO Nardos Bekele-Thomas echoed the message, calling reliable water access “the foundation upon which Africa’s prosperity will be built.”
Discussions centred on blended finance, concessional loans, risk-sharing mechanisms, and improving project bankability. Stakeholders underscored the importance of aligning investments with national priorities to ensure lasting impact.
By gathering perspectives from governments, investors, and development partners, the UAE and Senegal aim to shape tangible recommendations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, setting the stage for stronger global action on water security.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
