Former President Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete has participated in the African Water Investment Summit (AU-AIP Water Investment Summit) currently taking place in Cape Town, South Africa.
Dr. Kikwete is attending the summit in his role as the Alternate Co-Chair of the High Level Panel on the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP).
This year, South Africa holds the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20). The African leaders gathering in Cape Town aim to prioritize the Africa Water Investment Programme in the upcoming G20 meeting scheduled for November 2025 in Cape Town.
The summit has been convened by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the South African government and the AIP High Level Panel.
The panel is led by three Co-Chairs – the President of Namibia, the President of Senegal, and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Other members include the Presidents of South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Gambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), along with the King of Morocco. As the Alternate Co-Chair, Dr. Kikwete assists the Co-Chairs in fulfilling their responsibilities.
The summit was opened by Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa and the G20 Chair for 2025. Other prominent participants include King Mswati III of Eswatini, Mr. Duma Boko – the President of Botswana, as well as various government leaders, organizations, and water stakeholders from across Africa.
In another development, Dr. Kikwete has been appointed as one of the five key leaders of the South African G20 Chairmanship Empowerment Council for this year 2025, focusing on water issues as the Alternate Co-Chair.
The other leaders include Co-Chair Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, Co-Chair Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, Co-Chair Mr. Bill Gates – Chair of the Gates Foundation, and Ms. Amina J. Mohammed – Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (Alternate Co-Chair).
President Samia's Recognition in the Water Sector:
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has been awarded the 2025 Presidential Global Water Changemakers Award, a prestigious honor presented by the Global Water Partnership in collaboration with the African Union.
The award was officially presented by President Duma Boko of the Republic of Botswana, who also serves as the Chair of the 2025 International Presidential Awards for Water Sector Innovators. On behalf of President Dr. Samia, the award was received by Ambassador James Bwana, Tanzania's Ambassador to South Africa.
This accolade was bestowed during the AU-AIP 2025 Water Sector Investment Summit, which commenced in Cape Town, South Africa, and is expected to conclude on August 15, 2025.
The Global Water Partnership has recognized President Samia's exemplary leadership and transformative efforts in the water sector, including significant investments in water infrastructure, the expansion of clean water services throughout the United Republic of Tanzania, and innovative funding strategies such as the Green Bond issued by the Tanga Water Authority under the Ministry of Water.
