The African Union’s official theme is, ‘Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.’
In accordance with African Union publications, this is geared towards elevating water and sanitation into continental political priority. Evidently, recognising water and sanitation as catalysts for economic transformation, climate resilience, public health, food security and regional stability.
As an African Renaissance activist, this theme indicates the African Union’s intentionally dealing with realities of the grassroots’ communities.
Thus evoking passion within me on getting the basics right in water and sanitation systems before dreaming big with regards to technological advancement; as public health, food security and climate resilience are key.
When reading how the African Union Assembly launched this theme on February 14th; which speaks to the daily issues and challenges that African citizens deal with, I became hopeful.
Moreover, to read this following statement was healing as these Africa leaders acknowledged their shortfalls: “Despite progress, millions of Africans still lack safe water and sanitation, undermining health, productivity and human dignity; climate change is intensifying water stress through droughts, floods and hydrological disruption.”
This statement provided a context of intentional leadership, taking responsibilities on how regional stability and economic growth requires getting basic services right.
Thus, walking the talk of leaving no one behind as the pathway to the African we want, Agenda 2063.
STRENGTHENING POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
When reviewing statements supporting this year’s theme, keen-sighted strengthening political leadership is a leading anchor for reaffirming water and sanitation, as enablers for economic growth.
This brought hope on Africa’s future, as it speaks to the political maturity within African leadership, who are now taking a rooted people centred approach as opposed to vanity projects.
Considering, water and sanitation drives industrialisation, health, peace, food systems and climate resilience and this acceptance by African Union brings hope to the present and future generations.
Evidently, it is wishful thinking to peruse international standards when the basics are still lagging behind; this requires a mature political will from the African Union heads of state. To admit, they jumped developmental steps competing with the first world before getting water and sanitation right.
Therefore to strengthen African political leadership such that it promotes the narrative on how water and sanitation anchors industrialisation, job creation and economic growth is a truly worthwhile dialogue.
Such that water and sanitation investment becomes a national priority in all African Union members’ states and within regional institutions. This shift in narrative was called into action by the African Union, towards the implementation of the new Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy.
What fascinated my thoughts on this statement is acknowledgement how strengthening political leadership takes into consideration that creating national policies without investment manifests development pipedreams.
Therefore political leadership is also required to strengthen the business case for water and sanitation investment at national and regional level.
Evidently, I was singing Halleluiah, considering my preoccupation with, why dress up elegantly, carry expensive bags and gadgets; while subjected to substandard water and sanitation in your areas of dwelling.
AFRICAN UNION CALL TO ACTION
Continental policies require strong leadership and political will, hence the African Union’s call into action during this Africa Day, is a significant step towards ensuring water and sanitation is priority.
This began with the collective acknowledgement and acceptance on how water is a human right for all citizens of the continent.
Thus affirming how every African deserves access to clean water and safe sanitation, indicative of how this is not a privilege but a right.
Moreover creating pathways for considering water security within all member States is for economic transformation and how sustainable water systems require leaders who are prepared to invest.
Therefore, prioritising this human right within national budgets and with strategic development partners for transformative water and sanitation sustainable systems.
The founders of the Organisation of African Unity, now African Union, must have experienced heavenly smiles, as their Pan African vision was effected through this water and sanitation priority.
Evident in how water and sanitation unties Africans across borders, visible in the shared lakes and rivers amongst other natural and environmental resources now governed through water diplomacy.
Most importantly, the AU Assembly called for equity and inclusion within the water and sanitation sector, which has been problematic when considering that rural and marginalised communities have been left behind since 1963.
This will provide opportunities for youth innovation in water technology and sanitation solutions, entrepreneurship and job creation while advancing water security within the continent.
This call to action reaffirmed Pan African solidarity through simple practical ways of ensuring no one is left behind, in accessing water and sanitation.
ELEVATE AFRICA’S GLOBAL VOICE
The AU called for climate resilience and adaptation when securing water means securing Africa against climate shocks; as droughts and floods threaten water availability which requires resilience strategies.
This is one area where the African Union needs to elevate Africa’s global voice, as climate change is negatively impacting grassroots’ communities across the continent.
Therefore this new Africa Water Vision 2063 and policy must serve as a strategic framework for achieving inclusive and climate resilient water security after 2025.
The elevation of Africa voice with regards to climate change will enable the African Union to present a united Pan African investment and business case globally.
Indicative of the strong political leadership that seeks practical and technological solutions to climate change driven by youth through innovation.
The African Union further stated its position on shaping global water governance in preparation for the United Nations Water Conference in 2026.
Hence this theme ‘Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.’
This is part of the process of ensuring Africa’s voice feeds into the UN Water Conference 2026; a significant moment in ensuring a united African position will be effective.
Thus, Africa’s global voice in the acceleration of the implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, in line with the African we want, Agenda 2063.
This goals on environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies and communities and priority areas including biodiversity, conservation, sustainable resource management, water security and climate resilience.
Thus enabling the African Union to elevate Africa’s global voice within multilateral institutions and mobilise resources for the continent.
CONCLUSION
Many readers would wonder why I am so passionate about water and sanitation as they are not aware that I worked in urban development before following my spiritual and academic journey.
The South African experience after working in the Manzini Municipal Council exposed me to technical services such as water and sanitation, electricity and solid waste management when managing grants for metropolitan cities. USAID grants focusing on capacity building for metropolitan restructuring initiatives, at total of $1.5 million funding split between Johannesburg, e地域の（eThekwini） and Cape Town and this was post-liberation South Africa driving metropolitan cities into service delivery engines.
Therefore witnessing the transformation of water and sanitation, electricity and solid waste management service delivery expansion from the apartheid era into developmental local government.
This was part of democratisation process through restructuring technical services to become economic engines and political tools for equity and inclusive leadership.
Particularly in rural and marginalised areas, which in my view will forever be an ongoing developmental challenge.
Hence this theme create for continental commitment towards intentional recognising that a Pan African approach is eminent towards the African we want, Agenda 2063.
