AU-AIP AFRICA WATER INVESTMENT SUMMIT CAPE TOWN REPORT

Published on by in Non Profit

AU-AIP AFRICA WATER INVESTMENT SUMMIT CAPE TOWN REPORT

The AU-AIP Africa Water Investment Summit 2025, convened in Cape Town under the African Union (AU) and South Africa’s Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency, marked a historic turning point for Africa’s water and sanitation sector.

Bringing together African Heads of State, Ministers, development finance institutions, global investors, the private sector, youth, and civil society, the Summit responded to the urgent need to mobilise investment and address Africa’s USD 30 billion annual water investment gap.

Officially opened by H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and current G20 President, the Summit attracted more than 1,700 delegates, including 38 African Water Ministers and their representatives. International participation included representatives from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Barbados, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK), alongside financiers, public and private investors, academics, civil society, and development partners.

Summit objectives At its core, the Summit aimed to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) (Clean Water and Sanitation) and the AU’s Agenda 2063 by catalysing large-scale, climate-resilient water investments. Delegates engaged in high-level policy discussions, project matchmaking, and partnership building to address barriers to finance and to chart a path for innovative, efficient, and inclusive solutions that can unlock both domestic and external resources for water and sanitation.

Key Outcomes: Over USD 10-12 billion annual water investments pipelines identified. The Summit was a landmark occasion convened by the African Union and the Republic of South Africa as and Chair of the G20.

The Summit resulted in significant outcomes:

First, at least an annual pipeline of USD 10 and 12 billion worth investments were secured at the Summit. These pledges came from multilateral development banks, bilateral partners, governments and private investors. They represent tangible agreements that will flow into water security and sanitation projects across the continent.

Second, beyond the agreements already secured, the Summit presented to investors a pipeline of 80 projects from across Africa, with a total capital value of USD 32 billion and an investment ask of USD 15.9 billion. These projects are now under negotiation, with many pledges conditional upon due diligence, bridging studies and co-financing. An online investment portal, launched during the Summit, will continue to capture these pledges and accelerate negotiations.

Third, accountability and transparency remain at the core of the Summit and what follows next. Partners committed to work with AU and G20 to track and report annually to the African Union and the G20 Leaders, including on the disbursement and utilisation of pledged investments through four principal mechanisms:

• The African Union AIP Water Investment Scorecard, which will track progress with country and continental benchmarks.

• The newly inaugurated G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative- Global Outlook Council on Water Investments and Global Water Investment Platform (GIP), launched by H.E Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa in his capacity as Chair of the G20.

• A dedicated online water investment portal to ensure transparency and follow up on ongoing commitments by countries and partners including at project level; and

• Integration of the Summit Declaration into the G20 Presidency Leaders Declaration in November 2025 and the African Union Summit in February 2026 The launch of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments and Global Water Investment Platform (GIP), as a G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative, aims to coordinate advocacy, track progress on finance, foster innovation, and promote accountability at the highest levels of global diplomacy.

More than 80 projects from 38 African countries were showcased to investors during the matchmaking sessions, demonstrating the diversity, depth, and readiness of Africa’s pipeline, and emphasising the need for continued mobilisation of resources. The Summit focused on governance reforms, specifically on the critical need for adequate and affordable tariff reforms as a precondition for unlocking finance. It also highlighted the importance of innovative financing models – including decentralised finance options and climate finance – and the role of both public-private and public-public partnerships as crucial enablers of sustainable investment across diverse contexts. Youth participation was notably prominent, with the Youth Water Investment Track recognising youth-led innovations and fostering a new generation of water leaders. Visionary leadership was also acknowledged through the Presidential Global Water Changemaker Awards, which celebrates those who are advancing national and regional water and climate agendas. The adoption of the Cape Town Declaration reaffirmed the essential role of water and sanitation in peace, human dignity, economic growth, public health, climate resilience, and food security.

AU-AIP AFRICA WATER INVESTMENT SUMMIT CAPETOWN DRAFT REPORT

• 5 Accountability and transparency The Summit emphasised that sustainable progress depends on collective, cross-sectoral action. This includes strong political leadership, efficient institutions, enabling regulatory frameworks, and constructive engagement from investors and civil society. Tools such as the AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard and a dedicated investment portal were introduced to ensure continued accountability, transparency, and momentum. Commitments and the road ahead Looking ahead, the Summit resolved to host the Africa Water Investment Summit every four years in order to ensure ongoing monitoring and accountability. Institutional mechanisms, such as the ongoing use of the AIP Scorecard and partnership with the United Nations (UN) and multilateral development systems, will be leveraged to keep water and sanitation investments at the forefront of Africa’s transformation agenda. The Summit Declaration’s inclusion in the outcomes of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and at future AU Assemblies underscores the political momentum generated. Conclusion The 2025 Summit’s achievements – billions in potential investments, new partnership platforms, strong political and technical commitments, and global recognition – will serve as a foundation for increased water investment and resilience across Africa. By anchoring water as a priority for growth and adaptation, the continent is poised to ensure lasting benefits for its people and for global sustainability, climate security, and prosperity. World Bank: ~$6 billion current portfolio (30+ projects) plus ~$2 billion concessional lending for Africa.

see full report attached

Media

Taxonomy

1 Comment