African water utilities, policymakers and private sector leaders will gather in Cape Town to explore innovative financing and digital solutions transforming water management amid climate pressure and rapid urbanisation.
The Smart Water Network Forum will host its second international SWAN workshop in partnership with the City of Cape Town, drawing utilities and experts from across the African continent.
The three-day workshop will focus on innovative financing models and practical digital solutions that support smarter, more resilient water and wastewater management systems in rapidly growing cities.
Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, said the City of Cape Town welcomed the opportunity to host international expertise alongside local municipalities including Cape Town, uMngeni, Drakenstein, George and Mbombela.
This collaboration allows us to engage critically on affordability and financing while learning from global and regional experience in smart water innovation, Badroodien said.
Dr Amir Cahn, CEO of SWAN, said the workshop would build on lessons from the first Cape Town edition, with a strong focus on real-world implementation, digital transformation and measurable impact across Africa’s water sector.
The programme includes an interactive session on de-risking smart water financing, strategic discussions on water and wastewater systems, and a City of Cape Town study tour showcasing applied solutions.
EY is sponsoring the financing-focused workshop day, with Africa Consulting Leader Hennie Human highlighting the role of digital twins, AI-driven approaches and smarter procurement in strengthening water system resilience.
The workshop reflects growing momentum around smart water solutions as a form of social innovation, supporting water security, climate resilience and sustainable urban development across Africa.
