Nigeria Hosts AU, AMCOW Delegation on Continental Water and Sanitation Agenda

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has received a high-level delegation from the African Union Commission and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), reaffirming Nigeria’s strategic role in continental water governance.

The delegation, which visited the Minister in Abuja, was led by Mr Harsen Nyambe Nyambe, Director for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE) at the African Union Commission, and Mr Nelson Gomonda, Officer-in-Charge of the African Ministers’ Council on Water Secretariat.

Other members of the delegation included Mr Bala Tuham, Lead for Corporate Services; Ms Comfort Kanshio, Policy Officer for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); and Engr. Jonathan Kampala, Adviser under the Blue Africa Action initiative, co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ.

Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Utsev stressed the need for sustained political commitment to water and sanitation across the continent, noting that the sector remains fundamental to public health, economic growth, climate resilience, and regional integration.

He highlighted the importance of the African Union’s 2026 Theme of the Year: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” describing it as a timely elevation of water issues to the highest level of continental policymaking.

According to him, the theme reinforces the recognition that water and sanitation are not standalone sectors, but foundational enablers of Africa’s long-term development aspirations under Agenda 2063.

“Water security is central to Africa’s transformation. Without safe water and sanitation, we cannot achieve food security, industrialisation, or climate resilience,” the Minister said.

Prof. Utsev, who also serves as Vice President of AMCOW for the West Africa subregion (2025–2027), announced that Nigeria will host the 2026 West Africa Subregional Meeting from April 21 to April 23 in Abuja.

He explained that the meeting, convened under the AU Theme of the Year, will bring together member states, development partners, and stakeholders to deliberate on the formulation of the first implementation plan (2026–2033) for the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy.

The plan, he noted, is expected to translate continental commitments into actionable programmes, focusing on catalytic interventions that can deliver quick wins, attract investment, and strengthen regional cooperation.

In his remarks, Mr Nyambe commended Nigeria for hosting the AMCOW Secretariat since its establishment in 2002, describing the country as a consistent pillar of support for continental water governance.

He noted that AMCOW has played a central role in shaping Africa’s water policy direction, culminating in the adoption of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy by the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held on February 14–15, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Nyambe also praised the Nigerian Minister’s leadership and vision in elevating water and sanitation within Africa’s development discourse, particularly under the Agenda 2063 framework.

He said the forthcoming 2026–2033 implementation plan would prioritise high-impact flagship initiatives capable of accelerating progress towards a water-secure and sanitation-resilient Africa.

The African Ministers’ Council on Water, established in 2002, serves as the AU’s specialised political platform for water and sanitation policy coordination across member states.

Working in collaboration with the African Union Commission and development partners — including the Blue Africa Action initiative (EU/BMZ/GIZ), the Gates Foundation, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and other multilateral partners — AMCOW supports member states in strengthening water governance, mobilising investment, and advancing sustainable water management systems.

The council also plays a key role in aligning national and regional priorities with continental frameworks, including the Africa Water Vision 2063 and broader Agenda 2063 development goals.

The Abuja engagement is expected to further consolidate regional coordination as Africa intensifies efforts to close its water and sanitation gaps and accelerate progress towards universal access across the continent.