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Rwanda has called for stronger political leadership, innovative financing and institutional reforms to accelerate the transformation of water and sanitation systems across Africa, as the Africa Water & Sanitation Systems Leadership Symposium gets underway in Kigali.

Opening the high-level symposium, Minister of Infrastructure, Eng. Damien Murwanashyaka, said Africa’s water and sanitation challenge requires a fundamental shift from simply delivering infrastructure projects to building reliable, affordable, safe, resilient and sustainable systems capable of serving growing populations and economies over the long term.

“Water and sanitation are not merely sectoral priorities. They are fundamental to public health, economic development, climate resilience, urbanization and human dignity,” the Minister said.

He noted that despite progress across the continent, significant gaps remain in access, service quality, financing and institutional capacity, underscoring the need for a more systems-oriented approach to water and sanitation development.

According to the Minister, this transformation will require stronger utilities and institutions, improved efficiency and accountability, the development of bankable projects, innovative financing mechanisms and greater private-sector participation.

He further called for a shift from dependence on external financing towards stronger domestic resource mobilization, while ensuring that public and concessional resources are strategically deployed to unlock additional investment.

The Minister emphasized that the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy, which seeks to achieve “a water-secure and resilient Africa with safe sanitation for all,” provides a clear continental direction, but stressed that the priority now is translating this ambition into concrete action and measurable results.

“Our responsibility now is to translate that ambition into concrete action and measurable results.”

Rwanda’s experience and commitment

As host of the symposium, Rwanda also shared its own experience and commitment to strengthening water and sanitation services.

Minister Damien acknowledged that while Rwanda has made progress in expanding access to improved water and sanitation services, the country recognizes that access alone is not sufficient.

He highlighted the importance of increasingly focusing on quality, reliability, safety, affordability and sustainability of services.

“Let us use this opportunity to move from dialogue to decisions, from decisions to investment, and from investment to sustainable services,” he said.

UAE reaffirms commitment to Africa’s water agenda

The call for action was echoed by H.E. Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy & Sustainability, who commended Rwanda for hosting the symposium and welcomed the leadership demonstrated by African countries in advancing the water and sanitation agenda.

H.E. Balalaa described water as a strategic foundation for prosperity, resilience and sustainable development, noting its close links to health, food systems, energy security, economic growth and climate resilience.

He emphasized that the challenge facing Africa is no longer one of ambition, but implementation, requiring partnerships, finance, technology and political leadership capable of turning commitments into measurable outcomes.

He particularly highlighted the need to strengthen pipelines of investable projects, build institutional capacity and undertake reforms that can attract financing at scale.

“Water is not only a development imperative. It is an economic imperative. And, it is a huge opportunity,” he said, stressing that stronger water systems can support jobs, productivity, food security and long-term prosperity.

From dialogue to action

The Africa Water & Sanitation Systems Leadership Symposium brings together African leaders, development partners, financiers, private-sector actors and other stakeholders to advance practical solutions to the continent's water and sanitation challenges.

The discussions in Kigali are also expected to contribute to broader preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, with a shared ambition to elevate water higher on the global development agenda and accelerate implementation.

Rwanda's hosting of the symposium therefore reinforces its commitment to advancing water and sanitation as essential drivers of public health, economic transformation, climate resilience and sustainable development,both nationally and across the African continent.