400 million Africans without drinking water

Over 400 million Africans lack access to safe drinking water on the continent, while nearly 800 million Africans lack access to adequate sanitation.Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said as a result of this poor situation, socio-economic development is impeded overall.“To change this, we need firm political commitment by mobilising for a significant increase in investments and financing required to implement the prioritised interventions.”Schlettwein, who was also speaking in his capacity as the president of the African Ministers&#039; Council on Water (AMCOW), said this at the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa.The event was held during the Stockholm World Water Week in Sweden.Clear the wayThe minister said that one stumbling block that needs to be removed is the fragmented way in which the water sector is dealt with."In as much as we agree that water links into almost every other sector as a principle enabler, we nevertheless opine that water as a topic in itself needs an elevated central role."Schlettwein said that the establishment of an International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa is geared towards mobilising political commitment and leadership to accelerate the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) implementation.This is necessary in order to narrow or close the water investment gap for Africa.Security challengesIn February 2019, the governing council of AMCOW endorsed the Africa Water Investment Programme, following the recognition of the critical water security challenge Africa faces and mounting investment needs.Schlettwein said the Assembly of the African Union heads of state and government adopted the AIP as part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa – Priority Action Plan 2 (PIDA-PAP 2) – during the 34th ordinary session of the African Union Summit last year."As we prepare for the UN 2023 conference, it is AMCOW’s expectation that the high-level panel will contribute to elevating the water agenda to the highest level of decision making on the continent and globally."

400 million Africans without drinking water

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

Please login to leave a comment

400 million Africans without drinking water

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

Please login to leave a comment

Login