Championing gender-transformative water investments globally through the G20–Global Outlook Council’s USD 10–12 billion pipeline
Windhoek, Namibia / Stockholm, Sweden – 21 October 2025: The Global Water Partnership (GWP) has appointed H.E. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, as its Global Champion for Gender Equality — a role dedicated to promoting gender-transformative water investments worldwide, including through the G20–Global Outlook Council on Water Investments’ USD 10–12 billion pipeline.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah accepted the invitation during an official meeting at the Namibian State House with GWP, led by Alex Simalabwi, CEO of the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) and Executive Secretary of GWP, to explore collaboration between Namibia and GWP on the Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments, including mobilising priority climate-resilient water investments and scaling up gender equality.
The G20–Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, launched as a G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative, established the Global Water Investment Platform (GIP) to fast-track financing for water security worldwide.
Establishment of a Namibia – GWP Technical Working Group
GWP delegation meets with H.E. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the State House of the Republic of Namibia
A Technical Working Group has been established, led jointly by the Office of the President of Namibia and the CEO of GWPO, to coordinate the implementation of joint priorities, including:
- The Global Water Investment Facility for the Global Water Investment Platform (GIP)
- Mobilising partnerships for securing water availability for transformation of the Kunene Region in northern Namibia into an economic hub, including a multipurpose water infrastructure dam
- Integration of gender equality into water investment decisions – Namibia’s leadership will champion embedding gender equality and inclusion across all stages of investment design, financing, and implementation within the GIP pipeline and globally.
The Working Group will serve as the main platform to drive action and ensure tangible results under the Namibia–GWP collaboration.
During the discussions, Namibia agreed to champion the Global Water Investment Facility (GIP-Facility) — a new global de-risking facility, being developed to support the vision of the G20–Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, a legacy initiative of the G20 Presidency of South Africa, in collaboration with African Union, International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, and the Global Water Partnership Organisation with support from United Nations Capital Development Fund, World Meteorological Organization, Oxford University, and other partners.
At the UN General Assembly (UNGA), in September 2025, GWP and UNCDF formalised this collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop the Global Water Investment Facility for the Global Water Investment Platform (GIP).
The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia and Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), both accredited with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), along with the Namibia Planning Commission and local partners, will work with GWP to implement the agreed priorities.
The GIP Facility aims to accelerate implementation of the USD 10–12 billion pipeline of climate-resilient water investments identified through the African Union’s Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) and consolidated at the AU–AIP Africa Water Investment Summit that was hosted in August 2025, by the Chair of the G20, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, in Cape Town, in collaboration with the African Union, AIP International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, AUDA-NEPAD, and Global Water Partnership.
“President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership embodies the values that define GWP’s Global Transformation Agenda — integrity, inclusion, and innovation. Her voice will help ensure that gender equality becomes a driving force in global investment frameworks.”— Alex Simalabwi, CEO of GWPO
Hon. Elijah Ngurare, Prime Minister of Namibia (middle), Hon. Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform – Namibia (2nd from right), Mr Alex Simalabwi, CEO of GWPO and Executive Secretary of GWP (right), Ms Nchedi Moripe, G20-Global Outlook Council Secretariat (2nd from left), Mr Rene Schieritz, Programme Development Specialist – GWP (left)
Championing Gender Equality in Global Water Investments
As GWP’s Global Champion for Gender Equality, President Nandi-Ndaitwah will lead high-level advocacy to integrate women’s leadership, gender-responsive budgeting, and inclusive participation into global water and climate investments — with a focus on the G20, African Union, and UN processes driving the water finance agenda.
Namibia stands as a global model of gender-inclusive governance. It is the only country in the world where women occupy the top three highest offices of state — President, Vice President, and Speaker of Parliament — and where women hold a majority of Cabinet portfolios. This positions Namibia as a living embodiment of the equality and governance values that GWP aims to advance globally.
“Gender equality is not only about fairness — it is about transforming systems to unlock innovation, productivity, and resilience,” said President Nandi-Ndaitwah. “Water is an enabler of inclusive economic growth. Investing in water drives progress in agriculture, skills development, youth empowerment, and job creation. Our focus must be on implementing concrete projects that change lives — such as the planned development of a dam in the Kunene Region of Namibia, which will support irrigation, livelihoods, and community resilience.”
H.E. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwahat and Mr Alex Simalabwi, CEO of GWPO and Executive Secretary of GWP
GWP’s Track Record in Gender-Transformative Water Investments
President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Global Champion role on Gender Equality builds on over a decade of GWP’s track record in gender-transformative water investments. These include:
- The Government of Austria funded Achieving Gender Equality through Climate Resilient Development of Water Infrastructure Investments in Africa Project, under the AIP Water, Climate and Development Programme – Gender (WACDEP-G), supporting the African Union to integrate gender into national climate and water strategies.
- The Green Climate Fund (GCF) funded AIP-GCF Readiness project, GWP has assisted governments in designing climate-resilient, gender-responsive water projects across Africa.
- Long-standing collaborations with Sida (Sweden), the Government of the Netherlands, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) which have strengthened institutional capacity to climate resilience WASH and mainstreamed gender and inclusion at every level of water governance.
Next Steps
The joint Technical Working Group will drive implementation under the office of the President and the Prime Minister. Support will build on the work of the AU-AIP High Level Panel on Water Investments and the ongoing USD 11 million Kunene-Cuvelai Transboundary Water Management project.
Hon. Elijah Ngurare, Prime Minister of Namibia and Mr Alex Simalabwi, CEO of GWPO
GWP support to Namibia will build on the work of the AU-AIP High Level Panel on Water Investments and the ongoing USD 11 million UNDP-GEF funded project for the Kunene-Cuvelai Transboundary Water Management project, executed by GWP Southern Africa, whose Board is Chaired by His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of Tanzania. Both President Kikwete and Namibia’s President are Co-Chairs of the AU-AIP High Level Panel on Water Investments, and will now serve on the G20-Global Outlook Council on Water Investments at the invitation of the Chair of the G20, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa.
About the Global Water Partnership (GWP)
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a global multi-stakeholder network and intergovernmental organisation dedicated to advancing the governance, financing, and sustainable management of water resources. GWP works across more than 180 countries and 13 Regional Water Partnerships to mobilise partnerships, knowledge, and investments for climate-resilient water security.
Media Enquiries:
Monika Ericson, Senior Communications Specialist: monika.ericson@gwp.org