African leaders and ministers have pledged renewed action to strengthen water security and climate resilience across the continent as droughts, floods, and water crises intensify.
The commitment was made at the 2025 Sector Ministers’ Meeting, held last week in Madrid, Spain.
According to a statement, the gathering, described as a continental mobilisation in the face of a growing hydro-climate emergency, marked a major step toward securing Africa’s water future.
Organised by the Government of Spain, UNICEF, and the Sanitation and Water for All partnership, the meeting brought together representatives from over 60 countries under the theme ‘Breaking Silos: Uniting Political Leadership to Integrate Water, Sanitation and Climate Action’.
According to the statement, figures from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme underscored the challenge facing the continent, showing that nearly 400 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to safe drinking water, while more than 700 million remain without safely managed sanitation.
These deficits, it was said, are worsened by the impacts of climate change, from recurring droughts in the Horn of Africa to devastating floods across the Sahel.
The summit produced three strategic outcomes, chief among which was the High-Level Pact on Water Security and Resilience, designed to translate national ambitions into measurable commitments.
The pact is backed by a Mutual Accountability Mechanism to ensure transparent monitoring of progress.
The event also served as a platform to shape global dialogue ahead of COP30 in Brazil and the UN 2026 Water Conference, reinforcing Africa’s voice in global water-climate policy.
Across the continent, countries continue to show innovation in tackling water challenges — from Kenya’s investments in climate-resilient water infrastructure to Ghana’s universal sanitation campaign and Ethiopia’s integration of water and climate planning.
The 2025 meeting also facilitated the exchange of experiences among nations and accelerated progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
“African governments have proven that when political will meets partnership, results follow. Africa’s leadership will be critical in achieving lasting change,” said Acting Executive Director of SWA, Muyatwa Sitali.
It was added that for the past 15 years, the Sanitation and Water for All partnership, hosted by UNICEF, has united governments, civil society, and development partners to advance the human rights to water and sanitation. With over 500 partners globally, SWA promotes political commitment and accountability to drive sustainable outcomes.
