UAE Leads Delegation at Africa Water Investment Summit in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN, 14th August, 2025 – Representing President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, led the UAE delegation to the Africa Water Investment Summit, held from 13th–15th August in Cape Town, South Africa. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs, was also part of the delegation.
The summit, a major platform organized by the Republic of South Africa as part of its G20 Presidency in conjunction with the African Union Commission, the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), the AU–AIP International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, and the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD, brought together world leaders to mobilise investment in climate-resilient water and sanitation projects across the continent. The primary aim was to drive water security, economic growth, and sustainable development in Africa.
In its role as co-host of the 2026 UN Water Conference, the UAE participated in this high-level gathering, marking a key milestone in its year-long, inclusive and transparent preparatory process.
At the summit’s opening plenary, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan stated,
“The UAE views investment in Africa’s water security as an investment in global stability, prosperity, and shared climate goals. For the 2026 UN Water Conference, our vision is to bring all actors – from governments to investors – to the table, making it a platform for real agreements and measurable impact.”
He further remarked,
“The UAE’s commitment to expanding access to water in Africa is rooted in a legacy inspired by our nation’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who made access to clean water and sanitation a cornerstone of his philanthropic work. This is a legacy we continue today, as demonstrated by the launch of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative in February 2024 to address global water scarcity with innovative, cutting-edge technologies.”
During the summit, Duma Boko, President of Botswana and Chairperson of the Global Water Changemakers Awards, presented awards to six heads of state and government. The UAE was recognised for its pivotal role as co-host of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
The UAE’s participation at the summit focused on preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, highlighted by active engagement in a high-level ministerial roundtable and co-leading a plenary involving over 1,000 stakeholders. These discussions aimed to identify concrete deliverables on water financing and investment for the forthcoming conference. The session was organised in partnership with Senegal, AUDA-NEPAD, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Global Climate Finance Center, and the Global Water Partnership.
The summit followed the recent adoption by consensus of the 2026 UN Water Conference’s six interactive dialogue themes, notably including a specific theme on “Investments for Water”.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
