African Leaders Launch Africa Water Vision 2063 & Policy at 39th AU Summit. City, Country — At the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held recently, African leaders have taken a significant step towards addressing the continent’s water and sanitation challenges by launching the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy.
The event, held on the 15th of February 2026, marks a strategic shift in the continent’s approach to water and sanitation, treating them as fundamental for economic transformation, climate resilience, and long-term prosperity.
The Vision and Policy were endorsed during the Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government and are set to become the basis for advancing the goals of Agenda 2063. They establish a shared continental direction with eight strategic pillars, covering aspects from universal access to sustainable water availability to resilient ecosystems and cooperative basin management.
The launch was led by President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, who emphasized the importance of water as Africa’s most vital strategic resource.
President Hichilema highlighted the need for water cooperation, noting that 90% of Africa’s surface water crosses borders, making cooperation essential for survival.
According to H. E.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, represented by H.
E. Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, the decision by the Heads of State and Government to dedicate 2026 to water and sanitation marks a historic turning point for the African Continent.
Vilakati emphasized the focus now is on implementation, warning that Africa is currently off track in achieving its water and sanitation commitments, with the sector remaining significantly under — financed.
The Africa Water Vision 2063 & Policy builds on lessons from previous assessments and aims to accelerate global progress on Sustainable Development Goal 6.
The European Union supports this ambition through Blue Africa Action, a partnership that contributed to the development of the Vision and Policy and continues to support its implementation.
With its endorsement, the Vision and Policy now set a clear direction for Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and partners to translate political commitment into measurable impact.
The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), which coordinates continental water policy, plays a crucial role in supporting Member States in advancing sustainable water management. Further details are expected as the continent moves towards achieving its water and sanitation goals under the Africa Water Vision 2063 & Policy.
