Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.African countries have been urged to elevate water from a basic social service to a central pillar of economic transformation, as the continent prepares a common position for global negotiations in 2026 and beyond.
Speaking at a high-level pre-event on April 27, 2026 ahead of the 12th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa, Claver Gatete said water must be treated as a “super connector” underpinning agriculture, energy, industry and human wellbeing.
The meeting brought together policymakers and development partners, including Moses Vilakati, Kumbuso Phiri, Matthias Naab and Abdoulaye Coulibaly.
Mr Gatete, who is also Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, warned that Africa faces a growing water crisis despite abundant resources.
More than 400 million people across the continent still lack access to basic drinking water, while nearly twice that number are without adequate sanitation services. At the same time, climate change is making water availability increasingly unpredictable.
“Water is no longer just a social issue; it is an economic, environmental and security imperative,” he said.
He noted that over 60 per cent of Africa’s land lies within transboundary river basins, making cooperation among countries unavoidable.
Despite some progress including integrated water and renewable energy systems in Morocco and irrigation investments boosting agriculture in parts of West Africa and the Sahel Mr Gatete said efforts remain fragmented and insufficient.
“Too often, water is undervalued in planning, investments are uncoordinated and Africa speaks with many voices when it should speak as one,” he said.
With the African Union designating 2026 as the year of water and preparations underway for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, he stressed the need for a unified African position.
To address the challenges, Mr Gatete outlined five priorities.
He called for water to be treated as economic infrastructure critical to industrialisation, food systems and energy transitions, rather than merely a social expenditure.
He also emphasised the need for integrated planning across sectors such as water, energy, food and climate, noting their deep interconnections.
On regional cooperation, he said shared river basins should be managed as shared opportunities for growth and stability, rather than sources of conflict.
Mr Gatete further urged increased financing through both domestic resources and international partnerships, including greater private sector involvement and concessional funding.
Finally, he stressed the importance of Africa speaking with one voice in global forums to strengthen its negotiating power and ensure accountability.
“The question is not whether water matters, but whether we are prepared to treat it as central to our development future,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Economic Commission for Africa to support member states through policy research, technical assistance and regional coordination to translate priorities into action.