📌 Lusaka, Zambia | 🌍 PANAFCON-3 – AMCOW Strategic Programme Session
Moderated a high-level session at the Pan-African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water (PANAFCON-3), hosted in Lusaka, Zambia. This key event brought together continental stakeholders to align efforts toward inclusive and climate-resilient water development. The session focused on interrogating and shaping the AMCOW Strategic Programme on Groundwater for Water Security and Resilience in Africa, under Strategic Objective 3: Building a business case to demonstrate the economic value and cross-sectoral benefits of structured investment in groundwater development and management. Whin the overall stratgic programme, I had the privilege of leading the task force responsible for developing and guiding this strategic objective.
As moderator, I guided a panel of distinguished speakers from the African Union Commission, IFAD, AfDB, UNECE, Government Ministries), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), academia, and youth networks. The discussion emphasized multi-sectoral approaches to water governance, particularly around policy alignment, investment pathways, institutional capacity building, and evidence-based tools for decision-making.
This engagement contributed to shaping one of the most critical components of the Strategic Programme on Groundwater, reinforcing the need for political commitment, strategic financing, and cross-sectoral partnerships. The session further positioned groundwater as a core driver of socio-economic transformation, climate adaptation, and urban–rural water security.
This activity adds to ongoing water security engagements in Africa, especially those focused on strengthening regional cooperation and integrating groundwater into national and continental water agendas. The outcomes from the session will directly inform implementation strategies and continental frameworks for post-2025 water governance.
Why Groundwater for Water Security and Resilience in Africa?
The session aimed to directly inform and strengthen the AMCOW SGWP for Water Security and Resilience in Africa. By bringing together diverse, high-level stakeholders, it ensured that multiple perspectives shaped the programme’s final design. Furthermore, panel insights will help refine key strategic objectives, particularly building the economic case for groundwater investment.
In addition, the dialogue will guide the integration of groundwater into cross-sectoral policies at both national and regional levels. It will also ensure alignment with continental priorities, including Agenda 2063 and the post-2025 Africa Water Vision. The discussion explored actionable pathways to implement these objectives effectively across multiple countries.
Finally, the session encouraged partner commitments and collaboration to enhance programme impact and sustainability. Moreover, it highlighted ways to improve inclusivity and increase political visibility of groundwater issues across Africa. Consequently, the programme’s relevance, design, and potential to drive water security and resilience will be significantly strengthened.
English