The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is hosting the Western African Sub-Regional Ministerial and Technical Advisory Committee Consultation on Formulation of the first implementation plan (2026-2033) of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and policy.
Discussions at the 3-day consultation which commenced on Tuesday, 21 April, in Abuja, Nigeria, will continue majorly on critical issues which exert unprecedented pressure on Africa's water resources and provide opportunities to articulate priorities and come out with meaningful strategies that will shape the implementation plan (2026-2033).
Declaring the consultation open, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation and African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW) Vice President for Western Africa, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said that "Nigeria was privileged to host this strategic consultation, not only as the host of the AMCOW Secretariat, but as a steadfast partner in advancing Africa's collective Water and Sanitation agenda".
The Minister, in a statement by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director Information and PR, also reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to advancing water security, sanitation, and climate resilience across the continent.
He emphasized that the Africa Water Vision 2063 provides a transformative framework for achieving sustainable development and inclusive growth in line with Agenda 2063.
He commended the African Union Commission, AMCOW, and development partners for the successful launch of the Africa Water Vision 2063 at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, stressing that the launch provided a landmark achievement for bold, transformative, and forward-looking framework that positions water security and sanitation as central pillars for achieving Africa's long-term development aspirations under Agenda 2026.
Highlighting the urgency of the consultation, the Minister pointed to increasing pressures on water resources due to rapid urbanization, climate variability, and growing demand across sectors.
He stressed the need for coordinated regional action to address gaps in access to safely managed water and sanitation services.
According to him, the consultation aims to define regional priorities and measurable targets aligned with Agenda 2063; develop harmonized policy, institutional, and financing frameworks; identify transformative programmes and investment opportunities; and strengthen implementation, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms.
The Minister also outlined Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in the water and sanitation sector, including the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH), the Clean Nigeria Campaign to end open defecation, and the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to aligning national initiatives with continental priorities.
In his welcome address, the Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Mr. Segun Mukaila Babarinde, described the consultation as a critical milestone in translating the Africa Water Vision 2063 into actionable programmes and measurable outcomes.
He emphasized the importance of leveraging technical expertise, policy insights, and regional collaboration to develop a pragmatic and inclusive implementation plan.
He called on participants to actively engage, share best practices, and contribute to shaping a results-oriented roadmap that reflects the unique priorities of the West African sub-region while supporting broader continental objectives.
Dr. Nyambe Nyambe of the African Union Commission described the consultation as a pivotal moment for shaping Africa’s water future, highlighting growing challenges such as rapid urbanization, informal settlements, and emphasized the need to protect water resources from pollution and prevent conflicts.
Also speaking, Mr. Kouassi Alexis of ECOWAS reaffirmed the region’s commitment to implementing the Africa Water Vision 2063, noting ongoing efforts to update its 2008 water policy and announcing a forthcoming regional water forum in Abidjan.
He stressed that water is fundamental to Africa’s industrialization, agriculture, and overall development.
In his remarks, AMCOW official Mr. Nelson Gomonda described the designation of water and sanitation as the African Union’s Theme for the Year 2026 as a historic achievement.
He urged member states to develop national implementation plans to ensure ownership and accountability, noting that it is the first time since 2008 that water and sanitation have been elevated to such a high level on the continental agenda.
The consultation, convened by AMCOW in collaboration with the Government of Nigeria, brought together ministers, technical experts, development partners, and representatives of regional
The meeting continues till Thursday 23rd April with discussions and deliberations on the first implementation plan 2026-2033 of the African Water Vision 2063 policy, mobilization around key events, stakeholder updates, New/ existing initiatives and the opening of TAC/TEC meeting among other issues.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to inform regional and continental policy dialogues and guide investments toward achieving water security, climate resilience, and universal access to sanitation across Africa.