LUSAKA – The Third African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water (PANAFCON-3) concluded with a resounding call for African nations to redefine water as not merely a basic need but a strategic asset integral to the continent’s economic future. Ministers and stakeholders from across the continent emphasized the urgent need to integrate water into national development frameworks and mobilize domestic and private sector investments to close Africa’s widening water access gap.
The conference communique, delivered by African Union Commissioner Moses Vilakati, set the tone for a continental shift in policy thinking: “African governments must view water not just as an environmental or social concern but as a fundamental economic and security resource.” This signals a clear departure from piecemeal approaches, marking a new era of prioritizing water in line with Agenda 2063’s ambitions for sustainable and inclusive development.
Zambia’s Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Honourable Collins Nzovu, captured the urgency of the moment: “Africa must recognise water as a critical resource and an enabler for sustainable socio-economic transformation.” He noted that increased domestic investment, combined with regional and international partnerships, is essential for achieving universal access to water and sanitation services.
Eswatini’s Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, Honourable Prince Lonkhokhela, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for inclusive partnerships that engage communities, civil society, and the private sector: “Water is everybody’s business.” His remarks reinforced the conference’s theme that water security cannot be left solely to governments but requires a concerted, multi-sectoral effort.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, called for innovative financing mechanisms to bridge Africa’s water investment gap. “We must develop investment-ready water projects that can attract private sector investment, development finance, and climate funding,” he urged, pointing to the need for bankable projects that can unlock sustainable water solutions.
The conference also set the stage for the upcoming AU-Africa Water Investment Summit in Cape Town this August, a follow-up platform intended to forge practical financing partnerships and strengthen frameworks like the African Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO) and the PIDA Water Scorecard. These mechanisms will be key in tracking progress, ensuring accountability, and measuring the impact of investments across the continent.
PANAFCON-3’s outcomes signal Africa’s determination to reimagine water management as a catalyst for growth and stability. With climate change and population pressures threatening to exacerbate water scarcity, the call to action is clear: Africa must leverage its political will, technical expertise, and investment potential to transform water from a vulnerability into an economic driver. As the continent looks ahead to the Cape Town summit, the challenge will be to move from commitment to concrete results, ensuring water security for all Africans and unlocking the continent’s vast socio-economic potential.
