Africa Future Water Partnerships Forum
Wed Mar 10, 08:00 - Thu Mar 11, 17:00
Avenue Conference and Event Venue
ABOUT
Turning water infrastructure ambition into bankable partnerships.
Join us in Cape Town for the inaugural Africa Future Water Partnerships Forum - a new Pan-African platform bringing together government, the private sector, development finance institutions, infrastructure specialists, engineers, advisors and investors to accelerate the delivery of Africa’s water infrastructure.
Across the continent, the need for investment in resilient, sustainable water infrastructure is urgent. The challenge is not simply identifying projects - it is creating the partnerships, financing structures, procurement models and delivery capability required to move projects from ambition to implementation.
The Africa Future Water Partnerships Forum has been created to do exactly that.
Over two days, the Forum will bring together decision-makers and practitioners from across the water infrastructure ecosystem to share practical experience, explore bankable partnership models and build the relationships needed to unlock projects.
What to expect
The programme will explore the practical issues shaping water infrastructure delivery across Africa, including:
- Creating bankable water infrastructure projects
- Public-private partnerships and alternative financing models
- Project Finance and investment readiness
- Risk allocation and procurement
- Water reuse and sustainable infrastructure
- Legal and commercial structuring
- Lessons from projects already being delivered
- Building stronger collaboration between government, funders and the private sector
This is a working forum designed for people involved in the planning, financing, development and delivery of water infrastructure — with practical learning, meaningful discussion and high-value networking at its core.
Choose Your Experience
2-Day Conference
Date: 10–11 March 2027
Time: 08:00–17:15 (Day 1) | 09:00–17:00 (Day 2)
Venue: Avenue Conference and Event Venue, 40 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Join the main Africa Future Water Partnerships Forum programme for two days of discussion, insight and connection focused on turning Africa’s water infrastructure ambitions into investable, deliverable projects.
Ideal for professionals across government, utilities, finance, engineering, advisory, development finance and the broader infrastructure ecosystem.
Masterclass
Date: 9 March 2027
Time: 13:00–16:00
Venue: Workshop17 Watershed, Watershed Building, 17 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Go deeper into the practical fundamentals of structuring successful infrastructure partnerships.
The Masterclass is designed for professionals looking to strengthen their understanding of PPP structures, project preparation, commercial considerations and the principles behind bankable infrastructure projects.
Places are limited.
Technical Site Visit
Date: 12 March 2027
Time: 08:30–12:00
Venue: Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works, Macassar, Cape Town
Transport: Bus departure at 08:30 | Return by 12:00
Move beyond the conference room and see infrastructure delivery in action.
The guided site visit provides delegates with an opportunity to explore a working water infrastructure environment, understand operational realities and engage with practitioners on the lessons behind successful delivery.
Places are limited.
Who Should Attend?
The Forum is designed for:
- Government departments and municipalities
- Water utilities and infrastructure agencies
- Development finance institutions
- Investors and financiers
- Engineering and infrastructure firms
- Legal and advisory professionals
- Technology and equipment providers
- Project developers
- PPP practitioners
- Policy makers and sector leaders
Why Attend?
Because Africa does not need another conversation about the water infrastructure gap.
It needs stronger projects, smarter partnerships, investable solutions and the right people around the same table.
The inaugural Africa Future Water Partnerships Forum is where those conversations begin.
Book your place and be part of building the partnerships that will deliver Africa’s future water infrastructure.
AGENDA
Agenda
Africa Future Water Partnerships Forum 2027
Conference Programme | 10–11 March 2027
Programme subject to change. Speakers and contributors to be confirmed.
DAY 1 – THE OPPORTUNITY
Wednesday, 10 March 2027
08:00 – 09:00 | ARRIVE. CONNECT. COFFEE.
Registration and Networking
09:00 – 09:20 | OPENING – Water Partnerships. African Prosperity.
Unlocking Investment Through Private Sector Participation
09:20 – 10:00 | THE OPPORTUNITY – Water Reuse. New Value. New Opportunities.
Circular Water Solutions Through PPPs
10:00 – 10:40 | Think Bigger. Integrate Investable Systems. Unlock Investment.
Transforming Standalone Water Projects into Bankable Investment Opportunities
10:40 – 11:15 | Coffee. Connections. Conversations.
11:15 – 12:15 | Grow Talent. Connect Sectors. Transform Water.
Interactive Discussions: Building Careers and Professional Pathways Across Africa's Water Ecosystem
12:15 – 13:00 | WHO CARRIES THE RISK? – The Risk Allocation Showdown
13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch & Networking
14:00 – 14:25 | WATER IN ACTION
Video Showcase
14:25 – 15:30 | THE BANKABILITY LAB – Can We Replicate It?
Case Study & Breakout Challenge: Kigali Bulk Water PPP, eThekwini Wastewater PPP and Botswana Potable Reuse PPP
15:30 – 16:00 | Afternoon Connection Break
16:00 – 16:45 | 3 IDEAS THAT COULD CHANGE AFRICA'S WATER FUTURE
Lightning Sessions
16:45 – 17:15 | THE WATER HOT SEAT
DAY 2 – MAKE THE DEAL
Thursday, 11 March 2027
09:00 – 09:15 | WHAT DID WE HEAR YESTERDAY?
Fast Visual Recap
09:15 – 10:15 | THE DEAL ROOM – Would You Finance This Project?
10:15 – 10:45 | Morning Tea
10:45 – 11:45 | CONTRACT CLINIC
Contractual Pitfalls
11:45 – 12:45 | WATER PPP CASE STUDY ARENA
New Cairo Wastewater Treatment Plant PPP 2026
12:45 – 13:00 | 15-MINUTE WATER MARKETPLACE
Rapid-Fire Opportunity Pitches
13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch & Networking
14:00 – 14:30 | THE FUTURE OF WATER PARTNERSHIPS
14:30 – 15:00 | THE PROVOCATION – Can Nature Actually Become Infrastructure?
15:00 – 15:30 | AFRICA WATER OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE
15:30 – 16:00 | Networking Tea
16:00 – 17:00 | THE BIG WORKSHOP – So What Are We Going To Do About It?
Please note: This is a provisional programme. Session times, speakers and programme content may be subject to change.