Africa Water Vision and Policy 2063
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This week, I had the privilege of attending the Third Pan-African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water (PANAFCON-3) where the Africa Water Vision was being discussed. Water is life. Yet far too many across our continent still live without access to safe water or adequate sanitation. I believe the water vision is a timely opportunity to recommit to collective action to deliver sustainable, inclusive water and sanitation services for all Africans. We cannot overstate the urgency. Access to water and sanitation underpins everything, from health and education to food security, gender equality, climate resilience, and economic development. It’s high time African governments mainstreamed natural resources as part of their development plans. Realizing that the SDG6 is linked to the achievement of all the other SDGs is key. We need to move from vision to action in line with the AU Agenda 2063.
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GULE Thandile Tanzile,Eswatini,CFND It's an existential question that you raise here. Especially since it's a paradox when you consider that African countries are very rich in natural resources.
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GULE Thandile Tanzile,Eswatini,CFND please according to your experience,what can be the better way to take into account the climate change?
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Similarly, without focusing directly on SDG 6, it is evidenced that increased resource mobilization, through improved governance, contributes to SDG 6. Government can therefore still achieve this while also leveraging on already existing tools
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Access to safe water and sanitation is essential for health, education, food security, gender equality, climate resilience, and economic development. It's crucial for African governments to integrate natural resource management into their development plans and recognize the link between SDG 6 and all other SDGs. We must transform vision into action in line with the AU Agenda 2063 for a sustainable future for all.
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GULE Thandile Tanzile,Eswatini,CFND Yesterday, I came across some interesting facts about Nairobi city and depletion of the "water table", it could be something witnessed in other countries maybe yes or no. There is quite a number of high-rise residential building that ae being developed and most of those building have drilled boreholes, which raised concerns that at the rate at which the boreholes are being drilled, it will deplete the "water table". As an expert in this area, how should cities urbanize in a sustainable way, and ensure water as an important resource is conserved to serve future generations? Also does the vision address urban development and water resource management.?
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Thank you for sharing your reflections on PANAFCON-3. I completely agree, water truly is life, and the urgency to act has never been greater. The Africa Water Vision offers a powerful framework to drive sustainable and inclusive water and sanitation services across the continent. As you rightly pointed out, access to water and sanitation is foundational, not only for health and education, but also for food security, gender equality, climate resilience, and economic development. Mainstreaming natural resources into national development plans is essential, and aligning efforts with SDG6 and the AU Agenda 2063 will help ensure that our actions are both strategic and transformative. Let’s move from vision to action, together.
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BIRIKA Naomi,Kenya,RITD That’s a very relevant concern—and what you’ve observed in Nairobi is indeed mirrored in parts of Cameroon, especially in cities like Yaoundé and Bamenda.
In Yaoundé, for example, over 65% of households rely on alternative water sources such as boreholes, wells, and springs due to inconsistent supply from the national utility (CAMWATER). This unregulated drilling, much like in Nairobi, raises serious concerns about aquifer depletion and long-term water security. The city’s rapid urban expansion hasn’t been matched by adequate infrastructure planning, leading to increased pressure on groundwater reserves.
Similarly, in Bamenda, while the water supply system has shown some resilience, the city still faces chronic shortages. Communities have turned to private wells and boreholes, which again risks over-extraction. Experts in Cameroon are now advocating for Nature-based Solutions and ecosystem-based adaptations to ensure sustainable urban water management.
Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (SND30) and its commitments under Agenda 2063 do acknowledge the importance of water resource management, but implementation remains uneven. The challenge is integrating these frameworks into local urban planning and enforcing regulations that balance development with conservation.
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BIRIKA Naomi,Kenya,RITD Great question Naomi! What is happening in Nairobi echoes a broader challenge that has been identified across many African cities including this very city we are standing on, Addis Ababa! The water demand in many cities can no longer be met by the supply, and climate change is not making it easy for us with the changes in hydrological processes. When surface water is no longer enough, groundwater is often deemed as the next possible solution, and we do not stop to think what will happen when the ground water is depleted too! I think its high time we looked into other innovative solutions such as rain water harvesting. Another promising approach is the use of unconventional water resources, such as wastewater reuse and recycling.
Importantly, the water agenda should be mainstreamed into economic development strategies and urban planning processes, recognizing water not only as a social service but also as a critical driver of productivity, public health, and sustainable growth. By embedding water considerations into city master plans, housing policies, and industrial development strategies, we can ensure that future economic expansion and urbanization are matched with resilient, equitable, and sustainable water systems. I cannot over-emphasize the need to build strong institutional collaboration and cross-sectoral integration. Fragmented responsibilities across agencies have hindered cities’ ability to respond to growing water challenges.
And yes, The Africa Water Vision 2025 does acknowledge the challenges posed by the depletion of water tables in cities across the continent. The vision emphasizes the importance of integrated water resources management, which considers both water supply and demand. CFND is currently involved in the drafting and updating of this policy, The Africa Water Vision 2063 alongside AMCOW, a process which I am grateful to be a part of. I will share the policy once its been finalized! As the saying goes “Building a nation is building reliable and good institutions” and institutions or stakeholders are very important building blocks for effective and efficient development. The governance gaps, require not only technical solutions but also institutional reforms that empower local actors, integrate traditional knowledge, and foster inclusive decision-making for long-term water security to implement the vision.
