African Water Agency and Germany Discuss Strategic Partnership to Boost Water Security in Africa

Berlin/Cairo, September 2026 — Professor Dr. Hani Sweilem, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation and Chairman of the Governing Council of the African Water Agency (AWA), met with Ms. Reem Alabali-Radovan, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, to discuss strengthening partnership between Germany and the African Water Agency in support of water security and sustainable development projects across the African continent.

Background

Water security remains one of Africa’s most pressing development challenges, with countries across the continent facing growing pressure from climate change, population growth, and gaps in water and sanitation infrastructure. Translating these urgent needs into fundable, investment-ready projects requires a combination of technical expertise, institutional capacity, and financing — areas where partnerships between African institutions and established development partners like Germany can play a critical role.

The meeting took place in the presence of Ambassador Mohamed El-Badri, Egypt’s Ambassador to Germany, and Mr. Mochira Johannes Schira, Director of the Water and Sanitation Development Department at the African Water Agency, along with officials from both the African Water Agency and German development institutions.

Building a Long-Term Strategic Partnership

Dr. Sweilem, as head of the African Water Agency, emphasized the importance of expanding the agency’s network of international partnerships and building a long-term strategic relationship with Germany, citing the country’s significant role as a development partner in Africa and its contributions to the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund. He also pointed to the expertise and capabilities of German institutions, particularly the German Development Bank (KfW) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

He described the African Water Fund as a continental, Africa-led mechanism designed to bridge the gap between the needs of African countries and communities and practical, implementable solutions — by supporting feasibility studies, technical designs, environmental and financial assessments, and other preparatory work needed to convert water needs into high-quality, investment-ready projects.

Alignment with German Development Policy

Dr. Sweilem noted that the African Water Agency’s Annex Strategy for 2026–2030 strengthens its role as a leading continental platform for preparing water projects and mobilizing investment, in line with the Africa Water Vision 2025, which translates African countries’ priorities in water and sanitation, climate adaptation, food security and energy into tangible projects and investments.

He pointed to a clear alignment between the Agency’s strategy and the direction of German development policy, particularly its focus on Africa, water security, strategic partnerships, attracting investment, and strengthening private-sector participation — providing, in his view, a strong foundation for more effective institutional and financial cooperation between the two sides. Dr. Sweilem added that securing German support reflects confidence in the Agency’s role and represents an important step toward a broader, more sustainable strategic partnership in the coming phase.

Germany’s Response

For her part, Minister Alabali-Radovan expressed Germany’s willingness to continue cooperation with the African Water Agency and to draw on the expertise of KfW and GIZ, along with German technologies and know-how, to support Africa’s water sector.

Dr. Sweilem further emphasized the importance of involving the German private sector in this partnership, highlighting the expertise and technologies held by German companies in drinking water, sewage treatment, and facility efficiency improvements. He stressed that cooperation between the African Water Agency, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, KfW, GIZ, and the private sector could offer a comprehensive model for supporting water projects across the continent.

Next Steps

Both parties agreed to continue discussions at the technical level to identify areas and mechanisms for cooperation in the next phase, and to explore ways to support implementation of the African Water Fund’s 2026–2030 strategy — strengthening the link between projects being prepared by the fund and German funding, expertise, and technology.

Conclusion

The meeting between Dr. Sweilem and Minister Alabali-Radovan signals a deepening of institutional ties between the African Water Agency and Germany at a time when water security remains central to Africa’s development priorities. By combining the Agency’s role in preparing bankable, Africa-led water projects with German financing, technical expertise, and private-sector engagement, both sides aim to accelerate tangible investment in water and sanitation infrastructure — translating strategic dialogue into projects with real impact for communities across the continent.