This document discusses the results of a survey on water governance in 36 African cities. It finds that urbanization, climate change, and demographic changes are the predominant megatrends affecting water services and management. The main water risks are too much water, insufficient access to water and sanitation, and aging infrastructure. There is a need to strengthen policies, financing, data collection, stakeholder engagement, and capacities to improve water security and access to services in African cities. Future priorities include investing in infrastructure, catalyzing financing, and raising public awareness about water risks.

1. THE GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMICS
OF WATER SECURITY
FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
IN AFRICA
Maria Salvetti, maria.salvetti@oecd.org
Data stock taking
Regional survey on water governance in African cities

2. Survey Sample
• 36 cities:
– 15 capital cities (43%)
– 77% of French speaking cities
• Different sizes of cities
Inhabitants Share in the sample
> 3 million 25%
From 1 to 3 million 25%
From 300.000 to 1 million 22%
<300.000 28%

3. 8 blocks in the questionnaire
Main water risks and megatrend for water resource management and WSS services
Institutions in charge of water resource management and WSS services
Coherence across local policies to manage water resources and WSS services
Financing water resource management and WSS services
Stakeholder engagement
Data, monitoring, reporting, evaluation
Obstacles to an effective water governance
Future priorities for water policy

4. Megatrends and Water risks
Which megatrends/water risks predominantly affect water and
sanitation services, and water resource management in your city?
Megatrends
• 44% Urbanisation
• 43% Climate change
• 40% Demographic changes
Water risks
• 39% Too much water
• 37% Insufficient access to
water & sanitation
• 36% Lacking, ageing,
obsolete infrastructure

5. Impetus to Act
Where does the impetus to recognise the importance of water in
your city comes from?
• National laws, regulations & initiatives43%
• Local mayor leadership & commitment34%
• Human right to water & sanitation, SDGs,
Agenda 2030
34%

6. 52%48% yes
no
73%
27%
yes
no
Implementation of dedicated water policies
in African cities
Water & Sanitation
Services
Water
Resource
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Indicatingcleargoals
Indicatingresources
needed
Indicatingclearduties
Indicatingemergency
strategies
Regularlymonitored
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Indicatingcleargoals
Indicatingclearduties
Includingclimateresilience
aspects
Indicatingresources
needed
Regularly
monitored

7. Influence of local sectoral policies on water
management
Which policy areas have the most influence on urban water
management in your city?
• Land use and spatial planning49%
• Public health46%
• Building codes and housing35%

8. WSS Operators
• Predominance of single and public
operators
National
Regional
Municipal
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Public operators Private operators Public & private
operators
Water Sanitation 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Single operator Many operators No operator
Water Sanitation

9. Financing Sources of WSS Services
What are the different financing sources of water and sanitation
services in your city?
51%49%
In your city,
are water & sanitation accounts
separated from municipal
accounting?
yes
no
Tariff-Water
Subsidy-Water
Internationalaid-
Water
Tariff-Sanitation
Subsidy-Sanitation
Internationalaid-
Sanitation
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%

10. Social Measures
At city level, are there social measures targeted toward vulnerable
categories of water and sanitation services users?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Poor populations Population living in informal settlements
People living with disabilities Indigenous peoplesand ethnic minorities
Women or female-headed household

11. Stakeholder Engagement
Has your city conducted an
institutional mapping of
water stakeholders?
Which water stakeholder engagement
mechanisms are used in your city?
22%
78%
yes
no
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Meetings Workshops
Citizencommittees Sub-nationalinstitutiondealingspecifically with water
Associationsof waterutilities, waterregulators, etc. Survey/Polls/Referendum
Traditional media Expertpanels
Hotlines

12. Data and Evaluation
Are the following data on water & sanitation services/ water resource
management available for your city?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Available dataoncity water andsanitationservices
at local level
drinkingwater and wastewater quality costof water services
Assetmanagement costrecovery and affordability
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Available dataonwater risks management at local level
Water abstractions, flows & pressures
Historical data on water disasters
Meteorological data
Scenariosincl. climate change, floods, drought and accidental pollution risks
Vulnerability & risk exposure

13. Current obstacles and Future priorities
What are the main obstacles hampering water governance and key
priority actions to face future water-related challenges in your city ?
Obstacles
• 42% Lack of funding
• 40% Lack of staff, knowledge,
competence
• 36% Low level of investment
Priorities
• 46% Build, operate or maintain
water infrastructure
• 46% Catalyse water financing
• 45% Raise citizen awareness on
water risks

14. • Access to water and sanitation, infrastructure,
investments, financing
• Development of local water resource policies, climate
change, too much water, too little water
• Data, monitoring & evaluation
• Capacity and competences development
• Strengthen water stakeholder engagement
Key Findings

15. • Beyond technical solutions and infrastructure, how can
African cities guarantee better access to services and
enhance water security?
• Do you have any experience or research lessons to share
that can inspire overcoming the mentioned water
governance challenges in African cities (financing, data,
capacity, stakeholder engagement)?
Discussion

16. • Review of the draft report
• Finalization of the report by beginning of December 2020
• Webinar on finance for water & sanitation in African cities,
co-organised with UCGL Africa (in December 2020)
• Preparation of the round table of African Mayors (2021)
Next Steps

17. Thank You
maria.salvetti@oecd.org

18. Economic Instruments
Which economic instruments are used to manage water in your city?
Retailwater
tariff
Abstraction
charges
Fines&
penalties
Bulkwater
tariff
Pollution
charges
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%

19. Why does water security matter for African Cities?
POLLUTION
20% of urban population in Sub-
Saharan Africa using safely
managed sanitation facilities
DROUGHTS
2000-2009:
116 million people
affected by droughts in
Sub-Saharan Africa
FLOODS
2000-2009:
21 million people affected by
floods in Sub-Saharan Africa
UNIVERSAL
COVERAGE
62% of informal
settlements in Africa
urban areas
5% annual economic
growth rate in African
cities for the past
decade
Urban population in
Africa to represent
50% by 2030 and
60% in 2050
79 urban centres in Africa
are rated as “extreme risk”
in the Climate Change
Vulnerability Index
Potential for new
technologies to better
predict water risks and
disasters
Water
risks
Megatrends