Latest from KOBWA

Friday, 15th August, 2025

Africa Water Summit 2025

African Water Minister during the presentation of certificates to African youths.

From the 13^th – 15^th August 2025, KOBWA participated in the African Union-Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Water Summit 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in Cape town South Africa. In this summit, KOBWA was represented by the Board Chairperson, Mr. Archinton Thobejane and Mr. Trevor Shongwe, KOBWA CEO.

The Summit supports implementation of the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) that was adopted in February 2021 during the 34th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit by the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government.

The Summit was convened in the context of South Africa’s G20 Presidency under the theme Solidarity. Equality. Sustainability. By leveraging South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the Summit will:

1. Facilitate increased access to climate finance for water security and resilience, through different instruments and mechanisms.
2. Showcase bankable water and sanitation projects to potential funders and investors.
3. Promote policy and regulatory reforms for creating a more auspicious investment environment.
4. Strengthen partnerships between governments, the private sector, and development partners.

The summit was officially opened by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa on Wednesday, 13 August 2025. Also in attendance was His Majesty King Mswati III from the Kingdom of Eswatini, President Duma Boko from Botswana and Mr Moses Vilakati the AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment.

The summit called for the mobilisation of U$30 billion per year to close the water infrastructure investment gap in the continent.

 A total of 80 bankable infrastructure projects from 38 Member States with 16 regional projects were tabled for the attention of 144 funders/investors and through match making engagements 40 priority projects were identified for further advancements through engagements with the project owners.

The summit also witnessed the establishment of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investment whose main role is to track the implementation of the funded projects.

As an agent of the Member States of South Africa and Eswatini, KOBWA was tracking on projects which are lined up for implementation in the KOBWA area of operation and also KOBWA engaged prospective donors for planned KOBWA projects.

The KOBWA CEO, conversing with the Honourable Minister Pemmy Majodina, Department of Water and Sanitation from South Africa.

The KOBWA CEO with Ms Sindy Mthimkhulu the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Executive Secretary at the close of a bilateral meeting on collaboration between the two organizations.

The Board Chairperson, Director Magagula and CEO at the summit