Windhoek: Namibian President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on African leaders to re-energise efforts to improve access to clean water and safe sanitation, saying that delayed investment has left millions vulnerable to climate shocks, poor health, and economic stagnation.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the African Union Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) Summit on Sunday, emphasizing the urgency of the gathering under the African Union (AU) theme: 'Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063'. She stressed the critical need to treat water security as a strategic development priority, rather than an assumed natural endowment.
For decades, many African countries, particularly those with perennial rivers, assumed water availability was guaranteed. As a result, proper water infrastructure was not prioritized. However, the impacts of climate change have shifted this perspective, revealing the vulnerability of previously reliable water sources.
Acknowledging the delay and insufficiency in water and sanitation investments, Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraged a forward-looking approach. She highlighted Namibia's active role in advancing the continental water investment agenda, co-chairing the AU-Africa Water Investment Programme International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa in 2023. This effort led to the publication of key documents offering guidance on mobilizing an additional US$30 billion annually by 2030 for climate-resilient water infrastructure and sustainable sanitation systems.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also warned of the broader security implications of water scarcity and inadequate sanitation, which can fuel migration, displacement, and potential conflicts. She emphasized the need for targeted and results-driven investments to ensure sustainable water sources and prevent such issues.
Beyond economic and security considerations, she stressed the importance of sanitation in ensuring human dignity, good health, and a better life. Many communities still lack basic sanitation, and investments in sanitation programmes are crucial.
Highlighting Namibia's own policy framework, she pointed to the National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy guided by Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which promotes sustainable access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene through integrated planning and community participation.
Namibia's hosting of the Global Water Fund's headquarters in Windhoek reflects growing confidence in its commitment to sustainable water management and regional cooperation, contributing to water security and safe sanitation in Africa.
Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed optimism that renewed political will and collective commitment would lead to tangible progress in addressing these critical issues.