Africa

Water is a key ingredient for sustainable development in many African countries. Its availability is essential for human survival, socioeconomic development, and healthy ecosystems. Different regions and countries across Africa face distinct water challenges, requiring tailored approaches and solutions

NWP collaborates with African partners, Dutch missions abroad and the Dutch water sector across a wide range of activities.

Diversified involvement

NWP has supported the development of water-related projects in Kenya since the establishment of the Kenya Innovative Finance Facility for Water (KIFFWA) in 2016, first as Facility Coordinator and more recently as the Secretariat to the KIFFWA Foundation Board. Through its close involvement, NWP has witnessed the steady growth of this early-stage financing facility that supports climate-resilient and commercially viable water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives in Kenya.

As the lead agency of the Young Expert Programmes (YEP Programmes) since its inception in 2013, NWP has contributed to strengtheningthe sustainable water sector in Africa by empowering young professionals in numerous African countries. In addition, through its own capacity building programme, YEP Tailor-made[MR1.1], NWP offers on-demand training. In recent years, YEP Tailor-made has been present in Africa through programmes of the Dutch Government such as Blue Deal and WaterWorX.

Through the Saline Water & Food Systems Partnership, established in 2022, NWP fosters collaboration to tackle salinity challenges in low and middle-income countries. The Partnership, co-convened by NWP, launched a call for proposals in 2024 to support Seed Money projects on salinity and two projects in African soil were awarded funding, one in Mozambique and one in Senegal.

Country missions & reports

Over the years, NWP has helped share knowledge between key water actors of African regions and the Dutch water sector through bespoke mission programmes and on-demand requests. In recent years, NWP has held key roles at knowledge exchanges including representatives from Kenya, Morocco, and Tunisia. In addition, NWP produces studies and reports on specific topics at the request of public and private parties. One recent example is a study on opportunities in the green hydrogen-water nexus in Namibia.