Global Water Partnership: How to resolve Africa’s water crisis

Global heads of states are currently in Sharm El Sheikh with the hopes of solving Africa's water crisis. According to the Executive Secretary for Africa at Global Water Partnership, 400 million people in Africa do not have adequate water and sanitation supply in Africa. Alex Simalabwi, Executive Secretary for Africa at Global Water Partnership, highlighted the urgency of addressing the impact of climate change in Africa. The continent is facing severe challenges due to the increasing impact of climate change, as evident from the recent IPCC report. The average temperature increase in Africa is significantly higher than the global average, leading to more frequent storms and floods, causing devastating effects like the recent tragedies witnessed in South Africa. Alex Simalabwi emphasized the critical need for concrete pathways to mobilize funding to address the water crisis in Africa. He mentioned the importance of the high-level panel convened by the African Union Commission to develop strategies and set targets for water management and adaptation solutions. The formal inauguration of the panel is scheduled for the 8th of November in Sharm El Sheikh, with current and former heads of state coming together to kickstart the initiative. By March 2023, an international UN conference on water will be held in New York, the first in over 20 years, to discuss water issues at a global level. The panel aims to produce a report with recommendations on mobilizing the required $30 billion by 2030 and closing the water investment gap in countries. This report will outline actions for communities, water sheds, and local authorities to enhance water management and resilience. While there is a clear understanding of the necessary actions, the financing of these initiatives remains a challenge. The cost of mitigating climate change and addressing water scarcity in Africa requires international responsibility and accountability. African countries cannot afford to wait for global leaders to find solutions and mobilize funding. Capacity building and governance improvements are essential to enhance water resource management and decision-making processes. Challenges such as insufficient data, governance gaps, and low implementation of water management plans need to be addressed to ensure successful implementation of water projects. In Africa, 71% of countries are behind in implementing integrated water resources management plans, and 68% lack sufficient data for informed decision-making in the water sector. Capacity development is essential to ensure that funding can be effectively utilized for water projects. Additionally, governance issues, such as low implementation of coordinated water management across sectors in 53% of African countries, need to be resolved. While African governments provide a significant portion of funding for water projects, private sector contributions remain low compared to other sectors like telecom and wind energy, underscoring the need for increased private sector investment in water initiatives. The global water community acknowledges the importance of addressing governance, capacity, and financing challenges to tackle Africa's water crisis. African leaders are committed to improving water management and enhancing resilience in their countries by mobilizing funding, closing capacity gaps, and addressing governance issues. A collaborative effort involving governments, private sector, and international partners is essential to ensure sustainable solutions to Africa's water challenges.