Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III has invited multilateral financial institutions, development partners and private investors to fund multi-billion Emalangeni water projects in Eswatini.
He highlighted two prioritised bankable projects: the Nondvo Multipurpose Dam and the raising of the Hawane Dam, costing approximately US$115 million (E2.1 billion).
His Majesty made this call at the African Union-AIP Africa Water Investment Summit, pledging Eswatini’s full support and describing water as the lifeblood of the continent and the world.
He noted that an additional US$2 billion (E38 billion) is needed for the National Potable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Master Plan.
“With support from the African Union, Global Water Partnership Southern Africa and Green Climate Fund, we are developing the Eswatini Water Investment Programme, set for completion by late 2025. This will guide resource mobilisation and implementation of high-impact water projects,” the King said.
He emphasised water’s role in Eswatini’s development, stating: “It fuels agriculture, which accounts for over 90 per cent of water abstractions, drives industry, safeguards public health and strengthens climate resilience. However, aging infrastructure, rising water needs and climate change pose challenges.”
His Majesty endorsed the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), a transformative platform to mobilise US$30 billion (E570 billion) annually to close Africa’s water investment gap.
He added: “The AIP aligns with our national development plan, climate adaptation priorities and commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. It also advances Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want.”
The King highlighted Eswatini’s efforts, including dams for irrigation and clean water supply, and ongoing engagements with financial institutions to support agriculture and water projects.
He stressed the need for support from development partners, financial institutions, private investors and multilateral organisations due to the substantial funding required.
WATER SECURITY TRANSCENDS BORDERS
CAPE TOWN – His Majesty King Mswati III has stated that regional cooperation, integrated planning and bold investments are vital for water security among member states.
He noted that Eswatini shares major rivers with neighbouring countries and has cooperated on water projects benefiting agriculture and clean water provision.
“Eswatini, a middle-user of several river basins, relies on coordination with South Africa and Mozambique for shared water infrastructure management and development, yielding positive results,” the King said.
He highlighted Africa’s shared water courses, crucial for industrialisation, energy, agriculture, health and development.
“This summit showcases bankable, climate-resilient projects, fosters regional cooperation on transboundary water resources and attracts global finance to transform water systems,” he said.
His Majesty noted Africa’s funding shortages for climate activities and limited access to technologies, yet the need to close the water security and sanitation investment gap remains.
He welcomed the summit’s outcome document, to be presented at the G20 for financial support consideration.
“Let us reaffirm that Africa’s water is its future. By investing in water security, we advance health, dignity and prosperity for a resilient Africa,” the King concluded.
HMK PRESENTS AWARDS TO WATER SECURITY LEADERS
CAPE TOWN – His Majesty King Mswati III was given the honour of presenting awards to heads of state for their transformative contributions to water security at the AU-AIP Summit in Cape Town, held under South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
Alongside Botswana President Duma Boko, the King presented those who have made strides in addressing Africa’s water crisis, where 400 million people lack clean water.
The awards were presented as follows:
President Cyril Ramaphosa received the 2025 Presidential Global Water Changemaker Award for launching the G20’s Global Outlook Council on Water Investments and hosting the summit.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia was honoured for initiating the Global Water Organisation to drive cooperation on water security, sustainable development, peace and innovation.
His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho was awarded for championing the Highlands Water Project, a model of transboundary cooperation.
Presidents Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE were recognised for co-hosting the UN 2026 Water Conference, prioritising investment, solidarity and water in the global climate agenda through COP 28.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania was honoured for developing the Tanzania Water Investment Programme and advancing leadership in water and climate through reforms, financing partnerships and inclusive governance. Not all leaders were present, with representatives accepting on their behalf.
RAMAPHOSA LAUNCHES GLOBAL COUNCIL TO TACKLE WATER CRISIS
CAPE TOWN – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, a G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative to transform water into a driver of economic growth, innovation and peace.
The launch occurred at the African Union-AIP Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, marking a historic moment for global water security.
The Council, part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” will track progress, unlock finance, report annually and align efforts across the G20, UN, multilateral banks and the private sector. It aims to mobilise capital to close Africa’s US$30 billion annual water investment gap by 2030.
Ramaphosa outlined four summit goals:
Endorse a declaration to scale up investments and improve governance.
Showcase 80 priority water projects from 38 countries.
Facilitate government-financier partnerships.
Elevate water on global agendas, from the G20 to the UN 2026 Water Conference.
“Water must be financed, tracked and championed, not an afterthought in climate and finance discussions,” he said.
The Council’s leadership includes co-chairs President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados and Bill Gates, with alternate co-chairs former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. Members include global leaders like Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico and João Lourenço of Angola.
Ramaphosa cited South Africa’s Zuikerbosch Water Purification Plant’s second phase, supplying 600 million litres daily, as evidence of Africa’s capacity for large-scale projects.
He urged delegates to forge partnerships, emphasising water as a human right, particularly for women bearing the burden of scarcity.
The summit, running until 15 August, will feature matchmaking sessions to secure investments and a declaration to influence global water agendas.
AU TARGETS US$30 BILLION FOR 25 COUNTRIES’ WATER PROJECTS
CAPE TOWN – The African Union is intensifying efforts to secure US$30 billion annually for water and sanitation projects in 25 African countries, announced former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Alternate Co-Chair of the AIP High-Level Panel on Water in Africa, at the AU-AIP Summit in Cape Town.
Hosted under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the summit aims to close the continent’s water investment gap by 2030.
Eswatini is not yet among these countries, but a funding proposal has been submitted for approval.
EVERY DROP COUNTS IN BOTSWANA
CAPE TOWN – Botswana President Duma Boko has called for bold, innovative solutions to address escalating water challenges.
Speaking at the AU-AIP Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Boko invited global investors, entrepreneurs and institutions to partner with Botswana in transforming its water and sanitation sector.
He highlighted Botswana’s acute water scarcity as a semi-arid nation, worsened by climate-driven droughts, unpredictable rainfall and depleted groundwater.
“Every drop counts in Botswana,” he said, noting that sparse population distribution creates engineering and financial hurdles for water infrastructure.
Botswana, among four southern African nations projected to face high water stress by 2040, prioritises sustainable water management to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030.
Boko declared: “Water is a basic right, essential for life, economic growth and stability. Without water, there is no light to switch.”
He urged collective action to provide the water Africa needs to thrive.
INVESTORS INVITED TO FUND TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS
CAPE TOWN – Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Abdisalan Abdi Ali has urged global investors to support transformative water projects to address Somalia’s acute water crisis and challenges across Africa.
“We are here to present solutions ready for partnership and funding,” he said at the AU-AIP Summit, addressing heads of state, ministers and financiers.
He emphasised water’s role in survival, stability and peace, noting Somalia’s challenges with droughts, floods and limited water storage.
The country has developed a pipeline of water projects worth over US$50 million, aligned with the AU-AIP and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
EX-UN SEC-GEN CALLS FOR SCALED-UP WATER INITIATIVES
CAPE TOWN – Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for increased investments in water initiatives, particularly in vulnerable regions like Africa and Latin America.
Speaking at the AU-AIP Summit, he underscored water management’s role in achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
“Collective action on water bolsters climate change adaptation and mitigation,” he said, urging global cooperation.
He praised the African Investment Programme as a model for impactful change in environmentally challenged regions.
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