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IFC, Japan Promote Japanese Private Sector Participation in Africa’s Water Sector
JOHANNESBURG – IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, and the Development Bank of South Africa today convened a meeting of representatives from Japanese and South African companies, government, development agencies to explore opportunities to increase public and private investment and partnerships in the water sector in Southern Africa. The ‘Water Works’ seminar will focus on knowledge sharing in the areas of water supply, waste water and reuse, acid mine drainage, and improved efficiency.
Shinichi Asazuma, Minister at the Embassy of Japan to the Republic of South Africa, said, “Public-private partnerships play an important role in providing access to safe water and sanitation in Africa, and we are ready to support Japanese firms in investing in infrastructure on the continent.
Our activities in this regard are an important part of Japan’s efforts on private sector participation in development.”
Today, 2.5 billion people globally lack access to sanitation and at least 780 million people lack access to safe drinking water. Only 62 percent of Africans have access to safe water and 60 percent have access to adequate sanitation, the lowest rates in the world. Global estimates of economic losses from the lack of access to water and sanitation are estimated at $260 billion every year.
Water Works will consider the role PPPs can play in addressing some of the challenges faced by the water sector in Southern Africa. While PPPs present a promising model for collaboration in the sector, with many successful examples and case studies from across the region, their implementation is often hampered by a lack of knowledge sharing between various actors.
Emmanuel B. Nyirinkindi, IFC Senior Manager of Advisory Services in Public Private Partnerships for the Africa region said, ”In Sub-Saharan Africa, rapid urbanization and high population growth mean that national governments are struggling to deliver access to water for their citizens.
Partnerships between the private sector and governments can improve access to safe, affordable water and sanitation in a sustainable manner and help people live healthier and more prosperous lives.”
Following a successful event on PPPs last year, this seminar in partnership with JICA and DBSA included presentations from a range of public and private sector officials and experts. Speakers represented the Embassy of Japan to the Republic of South Africa, South Africa’s Department of Water Affairs, IFC, DBSA, JICA, Bigen Africa Services, WEC Projects, JETRO, eThekwini Municipality, the Water Stewardship Council, Prentec, Mintail, WRP Engineers, Yokogawa, NEC Europe, Suez Environment, Sembcorp and the Nepad Business Foundation.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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