MONICA KAYOMBO, Lusaka, ZAMBIA
Between May 27 and 29, Lusaka, Zambia, became a hub of attention for a crucial reason: water security. The Third African Partnership and Implementation Conference on Water (PANAFCON-3) brought together delegates from 67 countries worldwide to promote water resilience and sanitation. The conference’s theme was “Assuring inclusive and climate-resilient water security and sanitation for the Africa we want,” aligning with the African Union’s 2063 vision.
Zambia’s Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, officially opened the meeting on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema. The President highlighted that climate change, urban expansion, and population growth have significantly contributed to water scarcity in Africa. The conference acknowledged the investment gap in Africa’s water sector and called for implementing incentive mechanisms to bridge the gap between policies and practical implementation.
The three-day deliberations culminated in a communiqué issued by African Ministers in charge of Foreign Affairs, Environment, and Water and Sanitation, along with other global leaders, inter-governmental organizations, and stakeholders. The European Union’s Ambassador to Zambia, Karoline Stasiak, emphasized the EU’s collaboration with partners on shared water resources to foster peace, resilience, and regional integration. She noted that over EUR 672 million has been mobilized to support transboundary water cooperation in Africa.
The PANAFCON-3 assembly commended President Hichilema for guiding an inclusive dialogue and emphasizing the business case for the water and sanitation economy. The conference recognized the shared responsibility under Aspiration 1 of Agenda 2063 to motivate action towards achieving water security and environmentally sustainable economies.
The communiqué highlighted water as Africa’s most strategic resource and foundation of prosperity, resilience, dignity, security, and sustainable sanitation. It emphasized the urgent need to raise the profile and value of water in national economic planning and development. The African leaders and stakeholders committed to strengthening existing continental monitoring and evaluation frameworks and increasing domestic allocations and investment in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sub-sectors.
The conference also announced the upcoming AU-Africa Water Investment Summit scheduled for August 13-15, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa, as a critical follow-up platform to PANAFCON-3. Zambia’s Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Collins Nzovu, thanked participants for their commitment and contributions during the conference.
The PANAFCON-3 aimed to generate actionable policy recommendations, promote investment, and solidify continental commitment to water and sanitation for all.
