Opening with a congratulatory statement from Ban Ki-Moon, 8th UN Secretary General, addressed to the 2025 G20 President, H.E Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and the African Union, the AU-AIP Water Investment Summit 2025, held from 13 to 15 August in Cape Town, South Africa, mobilised preliminary potential financial commitments estimated at a conservative USD 10–12 billion annually.
[VIDEO PLACEHOLDER – Ban Ki-Moon Message]
These investments, pledged by development banks, investors, bilateral partners and governments, are directed towards the project pipelines showcased at the Summit from across the continent. Importantly, this figure excludes further pledges expected to be consolidated through the online portal established during the Summit — a clear signal that Africa’s financing momentum is building.
More than 1,700 delegates gathered for the inaugural Africa Water Investment Summit. Among them were 38 Ministers and representatives from Africa together with delegations from G20 member countries — Saudi Arabia, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy — as well as the United Arab Emirates, Barbados and the Netherlands. They were joined by financiers, civil society, academics and diplomats, all united by a single goal: to close Africa’s vast water investment gap.
The Summit carried weight at the highest political levels. In attendance or represented were leaders including King Mswati III of Eswatini, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and President Duma Boko of Botswana. They were joined by global partners: President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE (represented by H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan), Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados (represented by Senior Minister William Duguid), President Paul Kagame of Rwanda (represented by Dr. Jimmy Gasore), and President Brahim Ghali of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (represented by H.E. Mohamed Yeslem Beissat). [AS1]
Presiding over the event under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa captured the significance of the gathering:
“This Summit is a landmark moment not only for Africa, but for the global movement for access to safe water for all. If we rise together, water can become not just a means of survival but a driver of economic transformation, innovation and peace.”
The Cape Town Declaration on Africa Water Investment in the context of G20 adopted at the Summit reaffirms Africa’s urgent need for investment, noting a USD 30 billion annual financing gap.
“This summit, convened under South Africa’s historic G20 Presidency, has been more than a gathering; it has been a call to action, a platform for transformation, and proof of Africa’s leadership in climate-resilient water security and safe sanitation. The Summit Declaration commits us to scaling up investments, improving governance and increasing accountability in the water sector,” said H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, [AS2] Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission.
Host Minister Hon. Pemmy Majodina [AS3], South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, thanked investors for their commitments and urged for even greater investment to transform Africa’s water sector.
“Over the last three days, we were all inspired by the Africa Water Vision 2025, which envisions an Africa where there is equitable and sustainable use and management of water resources for poverty alleviation, socioeconomic development, regional cooperation and the environment. In plenary, breakaway sessions and bilateral engagements, we identified governance, finance, capacity and data gaps in the water sector as central themes that require urgent attention. More importantly, the Summit has helped consolidate AU Member State positions in preparation for the 2026 UN Water Conference.”
G20 Presidential Legacy: Global Outlook Council and Global Water Investment Platform Launched
One of the most celebrated outcomes was the launch of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, established as a G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative of South Africa.
“The Global Outlook Council and the Global Water Investment Platform will serve as the world’s premier high-level political and investment platform on water.”
Alternate Co-Chairs include President Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of Tanzania [AS4] and Her Excellency Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General.
The Council will be supported by a group of global leaders who will serve as Council Champions.
“It is a great honour for me to accept to be one of the champions in water investments,” said H.E Retno Marsudi, Special Envoy for Water of the UN Secretary-General.
Watch the acceptance speech by H.E Retno Marsudi
Mr. Alex Simalabwi, CEO of the Global Water Partnership Organisation, added:
“This Cape Town Summit Declaration has demonstrated Africa’s leadership in shaping a global water investment agenda.”
Presidential Global Water Changemakers Awards
- H.M. King Letsie III of Lesotho
- H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa)
- H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (UAE)
- H.E. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal)
- H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania)
- H.R.H. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Arabia)
The Summit was convened by the African Union Commission, the Government of South Africa, AU-AIP, NEPAD and the Global Water Partnership.
For Media Inquiries
African Union Commission | Molalet Tsedeke | Molalet@africanunion.org | +251 911 630 631
Global Water Partnership Southern Africa | Ms Teresa Chirwa-Ndanga | teresa.chirwa-ndanga@gwpsaf.org | +27 72 315 5057
RSA Department of Water and Sanitation | Ms Wisane Mavasa | mavasaw@dws.gov.za | +27 60 561 8935
[AS1] Include photos for each representative as per AIP Summit website.
[AS2] Include His Photo Moses Vilakati.
[AS3] Include Minister Photo.
[AS4] Include Kikwete and Amina Photos.
[AS5] Include photos of the two together giving awards.
[AS6] Include photo for each award recipient.