موقع وجه أفريقيا موقع وجه أفريقيا هو موقع مهتم بمتابعة التطورات في القارة الأفريقية
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Report by – Reda Helal
Amid mounting pressure on water resources across Africa, attention is increasingly shifting toward practical, implementable solutions to confront a deepening crisis. The Africa Water Security Conference is set to spotlight real-world strategies adopted by utilities and municipalities to reduce losses and strengthen water supply systems.
Held alongside Enlit Africa from May 19 to 21, 2026, in Cape Town, the conference comes at a critical time. Projections indicate that sub-Saharan Africa could face a 50% gap between water supply and demand by 2030, placing unprecedented strain on governments and utility providers.
The program, accredited by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE CPD), focuses on two fundamental realities: persistent water losses across urban networks and the urgent need to diversify water sources while enhancing supply resilience.
Over three days, utility executives, city leaders, and technical experts will exchange insights on loss reduction strategies, asset management, smart metering, water reuse, and desalination—placing strong emphasis on implementation pathways, governance, and delivery models.
Key discussion themes include:
* Reducing non-revenue water through targeted leak detection, pressure management, smart metering, and performance-based delivery models
* Building resilient supply systems through fit-for-purpose reuse and desalination solutions
* Strengthening municipal execution by aligning policy intent with local implementation and operational capacity
The program goes beyond theory, drawing on real-world case studies from cities that have faced severe water stress and responded with measurable operational change:
* Cape Town: Post–Day Zero recovery strategies and the operational discipline required for long-term resilience
* Windhoek: The world’s longest-running direct potable water reuse program and the institutional frameworks that make reuse investment-ready
* Kampala: Performance-based approaches to reducing losses while expanding supply capacity
* Nairobi and South African municipalities: Accelerating implementation through smart metering, project prioritisation, and partnership models
“Cities cannot solve water stress with a single silver bullet,” said Claire Volkwyn, Head of Content at VUKA Group. “What works is operational execution—reducing losses, strengthening networks, and building supply resilience through solutions that can be financed and delivered.”
The conference will feature prominent speakers, including Emmanuel Khumalo (ERWAT), Patrick Hlabela (Water and Sanitation), and Hilton Smith (Drakenstein Local Municipality), alongside a wide range of municipal leaders and industry professionals.
The message is clear:
Africa’s water crisis can no longer be addressed through delayed action or theoretical approaches. It demands immediate, practical solutions grounded in proven experience, strong partnerships, and smart investments to secure sustainable water resources for future generations.
