Namibia Water Symposium centres investment preparation and delivery in water security 

Turning political commitment into prepared projects, finance and reliable services emerged as a central priority at the 3rd Namibia Regional Water Symposium in Swakopmund. For the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO), the discussions connected Namibia’s water investment needs with a wider opportunity to accelerate delivery ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference. 

Convened from 10 to 13 November, the Symposium brought government, water professionals, researchers, industry and young innovators together around the practical challenges of water security. Across the contributions, a shared message emerged: investment must support dependable services, climate resilience and economic development, with clear responsibilities for implementation. 

Rt. Hon. Dr. Ngurare emphasised the need for sound project preparation, transparent procurement and effective implementation, with investment measured through functioning infrastructure and dependable services. 

Hon. Inge Zaamwani, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Republic of Namibia, called for the Symposium’s discussions to translate into focused actions with responsible institutions, realistic timelines, financing needs and measures of success. 

“Water security underpins our ambition for food production, employment and inclusive development, and it requires steady investment, capable institutions and public trust,” said Hon. Zaamwani. 

Hon. Zaamwani’s contribution reinforced the need to invest in reliable services and maintenance alongside expanding access. Priorities included reaching underserved communities, improving sanitation, reducing water losses and strengthening drought preparedness. 

Hon. Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Republic of South Africa, connected these national challenges with the international financing agenda, emphasising the need for government and private-sector partnerships. 

“At the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi in December 2026, South Africa will co-chair the ‘Investments for Water’ dialogue with France, which will seek to mobilise finance and partnerships to help close the water investment gap and accelerate progress towards water security for all,” said Hon. Majodina. 

GWPO’s role as a partner to the dialogue provides a route to bring country investment priorities and practical experience into that global conversation. 

Hon. Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Republic of South Africa (left), Hon. Inge Zaamwani, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Republic of Namibia (right)

For GWPO, a key opportunity is to bring Namibia’s water priorities together through a National Water Investment Programme, connecting projects at different stages of preparation with the technical support and financing they need to advance. 

Mr. Alex Simalabwi, CEO of GWPO, outlined opportunities across water supply, storage, desalination, reuse and transboundary cooperation. Mr. Simalabwi emphasised a coordinated portfolio approach, linking national development priorities with project preparation and financial structuring. 

“Through the global de-risking facility, we want to turn water investment commitments into financed projects and shorten the time it takes to deliver them,” said Mr. Simalabwi. 

Mr. Simalabwi described the proposed facility as a means of accelerating technical assistance and helping projects reach financial close. The approach builds on National Water Investment Programmes under the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), with the aim of moving identified investment opportunities towards implementation. 

That requires strong institutions as well as capital. Dr. James Dalton, Global Director of Programme Development and Delivery, GWPO, stressed that governance, finance and knowledge are interdependent foundations for successful investment. 

“In practice, this means helping countries bring the people who manage water into the same conversation as those who set budgets, who plan infrastructure and who make investment decisions,” said Dr. Dalton. 

With its primary headquarters in Windhoek and finance and investment hub in Cape Town, GWPO can connect country priorities with expertise in project preparation, financing and water governance. 

GWPO Delegation from left: Dr Alex Money, Special Envoy: Finance and Invesments; Michelle Saffy, Communication Specialist; Alex Simalabwi, CEO; Dr James Dalton, Global Director: Programme Development and Delivery; Gergana Majercakova, Global Head: Innovation, Knowledge & Capacity Development

The Symposium also created space for young people to contribute as innovators and partners in water security. Through “Next Generation Water Innovators: Student Solutions for Namibia”, university students were invited to apply their knowledge to real water challenges. 

Opening the session, Ms. Gergana Majercakova, Global Head – Innovation, Knowledge & Capacity Development, GWPO, encouraged government, researchers, water professionals and private-sector partners to help promising ideas develop beyond the presentations. 

“Sometimes, all a promising idea needs is the right connection, a bit of guidance or an opportunity to be tested in the real world,” said Ms. Majercakova. 

Ms. Majercakova’s invitation to explore mentorship, technical support, partnerships and testing linked youth involvement directly to delivery. Young people have a role in shaping and developing the solutions in which the sector invests, alongside benefiting from improved services.

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