Samia wins prestigious Global Water Changemakers Award
SOUTH AFRICA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Global Water Changemakers Award 2025, the highest honour in the water sector.
The award is presented by the Global Water Partnership in collaboration with the African Union, recognising her outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing water sustainability.
The award was presented by President Duma Boko of Botswana, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Presidential Global Water Changemakers Awards 2025 and was received on Dr Samia’s behalf by the Tanzania High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr James Bwana.
The award was presented during the African UnionAfrica Water Investment Programme (AU–AIP) Africa Water Investment Summit 2025, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, from August 13–15 this year.
AU-AIP recognised President Samia’s outstanding leadership and reforms in the water sector, including the construction of water infrastructure, expansion of water supply across Tanzania and innovative financing through the issuance of a Green Bond by the Tanga Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority.
Other leaders honoured with the award for their contributions to advancing the water sector in their respective countries include South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and King Letsie III of Lesotho.
Former President Jakaya Kikwete, who also serves as Co-Chair of the High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, is attending the summit.
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Approximately 600 participants from various countries are taking part in the meeting, including King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini, who joined President Boko in presenting the award.
Tanzania is responsible for preparing the AIP national water investment scorecard, preparing the country status report on national climate resilience, water investments and integrated water resources management.
