Accelerating water investments in Africa

African countries are stepping up investments in the provision of critical water infrastructure to attract new industrial investments and address the challenges faced by urban cities around water rationing. The vision 2050 of Rwanda, vision 2030 of Kenya, and the East African Development Plan all highlight water as a key enabler for industrialization, sustainable livelihoods, and good living. Peter Kibet Arap Biwott, the Managing Director of Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company, emphasized the importance of protecting the climate to ensure the availability of quality and quantity water for growing urban centers, as population pressures and climate change threaten water security. The issue of water scarcity and water security is critical across many African cities, with significant challenges faced due to catchment degradation leading to declining water quantity and quality. Efforts are being made to address these challenges through catchment conservation and exploring new technologies to safeguard water resources. One such initiative in Kenya involves planting billions of tree seedlings to restore water quality and quantity. Investments and discussions on new technologies are gaining momentum within the water sector across Africa, focusing on the entire value chain from catchment areas to urban centers. Various technologies such as advanced metering infrastructure and smart meters are being deployed to enhance conservation efforts, monitor water resources, and improve revenue collection. Notably, Eldoret has been a pioneer in adopting these technologies, leading to a significant increase in revenue and better management of resources. Moving forward, the challenge lies in ensuring water connectivity to households, known as the 'last mile.' Governments are urged to prioritize investments in last mile connectivity to guarantee access to clean water for all residents. It is essential for concessional agreements and utilities to include provisions for last mile connectivity, supported by regulator oversight to ensure affordable and accessible water resources. The idea of 'climate smart' water tariffs has emerged, with proposals for residents to contribute a small percentage of their water bills towards catchment conservation. This innovative approach aims to pool resources from residents, private sectors, and governments to fund conservation efforts, securing water catchment areas and ensuring consistent water supply in cities. By engaging city dwellers in conservation efforts and investing in new technologies, African countries are paving the way for a sustainable future in water infrastructure.