N’DJAMENA: TANZANIA has joined African leaders, finance ministers and water sector experts in a high-level forum in Chad aimed at accelerating investment in water infrastructure and strengthening the continent’s resilience to climate change.
Deputy Minister for Finance Laurent Luswetula arrived in N’Djamena, Tchad to represent the Minister for Finance, Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar, at the African Water Forum.
According to information from the Ministry of Finance, the meeting held under the theme, “African Water Forum: From Vision to Action,” is expected to bring together African Heads of State, finance and water ministers, development partners and technical experts to discuss strategies for improving water security, expanding investment in the sector and ensuring access to safe water and sanitation.
Additionally, the ministry stated that the forum, hosted by Tchad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby in collaboration with the World Bank, seeks to accelerate the delivery of clean water and improved sanitation services across Africa.
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According to the ministry, participants will also deliberate on increasing investment in water and irrigation infrastructure, strengthening the management of transboundary river basins, enhancing regional cooperation and encouraging greater private sector participation in financing water development projects.
The discussions will further focus on mobilising financial resources for the water sector, developing National Water Compacts and identifying innovative solutions to address challenges posed by climate change.
Moreover, the ministry noted that for Tanzania, participation in the forum is expected to strengthen cooperation with development partners, financial institutions and private investors, while promoting the country as an attractive destination for investment in water infrastructure.
“The country also hopes to draw lessons on innovative financing mechanisms, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), to improve the implementation of water projects amid growing pressure on public resources,” the ministry stated.