By Abdullahi Lukman
As climate-related water crises escalate across Africa, ministers and political leaders from across the continent are mobilising ahead of the 2025 Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM), scheduled for October 22–23 in Madrid, Spain.
The gathering marks a significant push for collective action on water security, sanitation, and climate resilience.
Organised by the Government of Spain, UNICEF, and the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership, the summit will convene representatives from over 60 countries under the theme: “Breaking Silos: Uniting Political Leadership to Integrate Water, Sanitation and Climate Action.”
The urgency is underscored by alarming figures from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, which reveal that nearly 400 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to safe drinking water, while more than 700 million are without safely managed sanitation.
These deficits are worsened by climate change impacts, including prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa and frequent flooding across the Sahel.
Key outcomes of the summit include the launch of a High-Level Pact on Water Security and Resilience, which will help African governments translate ambition into measurable commitments. A Mutual Accountability Mechanism will ensure transparent tracking of progress.
The meeting also serves as a platform for shaping African input ahead of COP30 in Brazil and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Highlighting Africa’s role as a hub for climate adaptation, the summit will showcase successful national efforts such as Kenya’s climate-resilient water infrastructure, Ghana’s sanitation drive, and Ethiopia’s integrated water-climate planning.
“African governments have proven that when political will meets partnership, results follow,” said Muyatwa Sitali, Acting Executive Director of SWA, reinforcing the continent’s leadership in tackling the water-climate challenge.
The SMM 2025 aims to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6—ensuring universal access to water and sanitation—through shared innovation, political commitment, and regional cooperation.
