Global and African water security initiatives

Global and regional efforts are intensifying to address water security and sanitation access. The African Union has designated 2026 as the Year of ‘Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,’ treating water management as a strategic priority to combat climate change, population growth, and infrastructure deficits.

To support these objectives, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development launched the Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform, aiming to mobilize USD 2 billion between 2026 and 2030 to provide safe water services to approximately 10 million people.

On a regional level, the African Union emphasizes that transboundary cooperation is essential for managing shared river and groundwater systems. Examples of such cooperation include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project between South Africa and Lesotho. Additionally, water security is being linked to broader social goals, such as gender equality and economic transformation, while nations like South Africa utilize national action plans and public-private partnerships to address infrastructure bottlenecks.