Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo utilized his platform as a patron of the 2025 International Conference on Water, Peace and Security in Nairobi, Kenya, to propose a transformative new agenda for the continent: the African Water Peace Initiative. In his inaugural address, he not only reflected on the numerous challenges currently hindering the effective implementation of existing frameworks on water, peace, and security across Africa, but also passionately emphasized the immense promise that could be unlocked through enhanced cooperation over the continent’s shared water resources.
The former President’s vision for this new initiative is to create a framework designed to bring much-needed coherence and political momentum to Africa’s collective and often fragmented efforts in sustainable water management and diplomacy.
To illustrate the potential for continental development, Mr. Akufo-Addo highlighted two critical projects. First, he cited the Inga Dam site in the Democratic Republic of Congo, noting its colossal potential capacity of approximately 44,000 Megawatts, which would establish it as the world’s largest hydropower facility.
He argued that successfully concluding the protracted financing discussions for this single project could effectively power the entire continent’s development. Second, he underscored the significant benefits attainable through proper cooperation towards an amicable resolution of the sensitive Nile River dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia. These examples were presented to demonstrate that regional water issues, when approached collaboratively, represent powerful opportunities for immense mutual gain.
Concluding his address, the former President stressed that water, peace, and security are not merely theoretical concepts but actionable imperatives that promise enormous benefits for Africans. He called for a deliberate investment in African capacity, research, and innovation to ensure the sustainable management of resources, along with the immediate realization of access to clean water and sanitation as a basic human right for every African citizen. Critically, Akufo-Addo asserted that true water security demands justice—justice in access, in allocation, and in governance—stating unequivocally that peace cannot flow where inequality runs deep.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
