By Abbas Nazil
Egypt is advancing its commitment to water cooperation and sustainable development across Africa, particularly within the Nile Basin.
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sweilem, recently convened a meeting to evaluate progress in the Nile Water Affairs Sector, with a focus on collaborative projects with Nile Basin and African countries, as well as partnerships with international water organisations.
The discussions underscored Egypt’s achievements during its presidency of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and its contributions to the AWARe international initiative for climate change adaptation in the water sector.
Sweilem emphasised Egypt’s proactive strategy to bolster ties with Nile Basin countries through targeted projects aimed at improving citizens’ lives.
These initiatives include installing solar-powered groundwater wells for drinking water, constructing underground reservoirs and river ports, implementing weed control programmes, and establishing flood forecasting centres and a water quality centre.
Egypt is also facilitating the exchange of expertise and conducting applied research and technical studies to promote integrated water resource management.
Training programmes under this approach have already benefited 1,650 professionals from 52 African countries, illustrating Egypt’s dedication to capacity building and knowledge sharing across the continent.
Highlighting Egypt’s leadership role, Sweilem pointed to the country’s contributions under AMCOW, which it has presided over since 2023.
Egypt has played a crucial role in fostering collaboration among African nations, presenting a unified vision for water resource management at international forums.
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The AMCOW presidency, continuing until February 2025, has enabled Egypt to advocate for shared prosperity and environmental sustainability while addressing key water challenges faced by African nations.
Sweilem reiterated Egypt’s unwavering commitment to supporting development in the Nile Basin. The country has channelled technical expertise and financial resources into practical projects designed to enhance the well-being of Nile Basin communities.
These efforts aim to promote sustainable development, improve water resource management, and foster economic growth while maintaining environmental sustainability.
According to Sweilem, these collaborative measures form a cornerstone of Egypt’s water policy, reflecting its broader commitment to regional progress and prosperity.
On the international front, Egypt has worked to elevate the prominence of water-related issues, particularly the intersection of water and climate.
The AWARe initiative, launched in partnership with international stakeholders, focuses on climate change adaptation in the water sector. It seeks to secure funding from donor agencies to implement practical, on-the-ground projects in developing countries, with a specific emphasis on Africa.
Training and capacity-building programmes at the Pan African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA) aim to equip African professionals with the skills needed to address water challenges effectively.
Sweilem described AWARe as a transformative effort to support developing nations, enhance resilience, and foster sustainable water management practices.
As Egypt continues to lead AMCOW and drive initiatives like AWARe, it remains committed to advancing cooperation and progress within the Nile Basin and beyond.
Sweilem underscored that Egypt’s collaborative efforts reflect a broader vision of shared prosperity, environmental sustainability, and secure water futures for African nations, further solidifying its role as a regional and global advocate for sustainable water resource management.
