Speaking at the AU-AIP Africa Water Investment Summit in Cape Town, AUDA-NEPAD CEO H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas delivered a compelling case for treating water as critical economic infrastructure while proposing the appointment of a Presidential Champion to accelerate universal water access across Africa.
Bekele-Thomas, who was appointed by President Ramaphosa to serve as Champion of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investment alongside other heads of state and eminent persons from around the world, expressed her appreciation for the honor during her address.
The summit, hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in his capacity as G20 Chair, brought together heads of state and development partners to address Africa's pressing water crisis ahead of the African Union's designation of 2026 as the Year of Water and Sanitation.