Investing in water security for growth and development

This strategic framework, developed by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP), provides a phased approach for African nations to integrate water security and climate resilience into their national development planning and investment decision-making processes.

• The framework advocates for a phased approach to building climate resilience, focusing on 'no/low regrets' investments. These are defined as investments that deliver benefits under any future climate scenario, allowing for immediate action despite uncertainties in climate projections.
• Water insecurity poses a significant threat to Africa's macro-economic stability. For example, hydrological variability in Ethiopia is projected to reduce average annual GDP growth rates by as much as 38%, while floods in Kenya between 1997 and 2000 caused GDP drops of 11% and 16% respectively.
• The cost of adapting infrastructure to climate change in Africa is substantial. The World Bank estimates an annual investment requirement of US$18 billion between 2010 and 2050, while the African Development Bank estimates annual costs between US$20 billion and US$30 billion for the next 10 to 20 years.
• The framework emphasizes the 'water, energy and food security nexus,' noting that Africa has developed only 10% of its hydropower potential. It suggests that integrated policy-making across these sectors can improve resource use efficiency and equitable benefit sharing.
• The framework outlines a four-phase cycle for implementation: Phase 1 (Understand the problem), Phase 2 (Identify and appraise options), Phase 3 (Deliver solutions), and Phase 4 (Monitor and move forward).
• To avoid maladaptation, the framework recommends Robust Decision Making (RDM). This process involves testing investment options against a range of plausible climate scenarios to ensure they deliver adequate performance regardless of which scenario materializes.
• The document highlights the importance of 'soft' or 'natural' infrastructure, such as ecosystem services and sustainable land management, which are often more resilient to climate impacts than 'hard' engineered solutions.
• Financing for water security in Africa is shifting away from commercial bank loans and private equity toward host government budgets, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and funding from emerging economies, specifically China.
• Gender equality is identified as a cornerstone of water security. The framework notes that women are most likely to suffer from climate impacts like floods and droughts but are also most capable of creating adaptation within their communities.
• The framework identifies significant urban vulnerability due to rapid population growth. The urban population in Africa is projected to increase from 413 million in 2010 to 1,231 million by 2050, increasing stress on water and food resources.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (n.d.). Investing in water security for growth and development. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Strategic-Framework-for-Water-Security-and-Climate-Resiliant-Development_FINAL_low-res.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Investing in water security for growth and development. n.d. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Strategic-Framework-for-Water-Security-and-Climate-Resiliant-Development_FINAL_low-res.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Investing in water security for growth and development |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Strategic-Framework-for-Water-Security-and-Climate-Resiliant-Development_FINAL_low-res.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetworkndinvesting, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Investing in water security for growth and development}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Strategic-Framework-for-Water-Security-and-Climate-Resiliant-Development_FINAL_low-res.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }