Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Water is critical to sustainable development and geopolitical stability. A reliable water supply fosters peace and contributes to food and energy security. Climate change creates unprecedented water scarcity risks, which particularly affect some of the EBRD’s current and prospective countries of operation, for example, those in sub-Saharan Africa. A range of supply options, such as non-conventional water production, like desalination and water re-use processes, are becoming essential to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Addressing sectoral challenges at scale requires targeted incentives to mobilise private-sector resources and the adoption of an integrated approach to water resource management. This session will explore the role of public-private partnerships in driving scalable water supply solutions. It will focus on how blended finance can de-risk investments and attract private capital to innovative water projects. It will also showcase how policymakers can create an enabling environment through structural reform. Lastly, it will highlight successful examples and applicable lessons for potential projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
Speakers:
Nancy Kacungira, presenter / correspondent, BBC
Nicolas Osbert, Chief of WASH, UNICEF
Walid Oueslati, Head of the Climate, Biodiversity and Water division, OECD
Ekaterina Miroshnik, Director, Head of Infrastructure Eurasia, EBRD
Cindy Yao, Chief Investment Officer, METITO UTILITIES LTD
Water is critical to sustainable development and geopolitical stability. A reliable water supply fosters peace and contributes to food and energy security. Climate change creates unprecedented water scarcity risks, which particularly affect some of the EBRD’s current and prospective countries of operation, for example, those in sub-Saharan Africa. A range of supply options, such as non-conventional water production, like desalination and water re-use processes, are becoming essential to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Addressing sectoral challenges at scale requires targeted incentives to mobilise private-sector resources and the adoption of an integrated approach to water resource management. This session will explore the role of public-private partnerships in driving scalable water supply solutions. It will focus on how blended finance can de-risk investments and attract private capital to innovative water projects. It will also showcase how policymakers can create an enabling environment through structural reform. Lastly, it will highlight successful examples and applicable lessons for potential projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
Speakers:
Nancy Kacungira, presenter / correspondent, BBC
Nicolas Osbert, Chief of WASH, UNICEF
Walid Oueslati, Head of the Climate, Biodiversity and Water division, OECD
Ekaterina Miroshnik, Director, Head of Infrastructure Eurasia, EBRD
Cindy Yao, Chief Investment Officer, METITO UTILITIES LTD
