9AWW: Irrigation Policy Post Malabo: Insights for Investments

More and better irrigation development is a key factor in ensuring the resilience of food systems in Africa, particularly with rapidly increasing impacts from climate change. The post-Malabo agenda calls for efficient water management and innovative approaches to irrigation to sustainably increasing agricultural productivity across the region. While some countries have made significant strides in expanding irrigated areas and increasing water productivity, others face severe constraints due to water scarcity, economic challenges, and political instability. In this context, a dialogue about lessons learned from past and current irrigation policies, new irrigation technologies, and the management of water resources in the post-Malabo context will be vital to inform sustainable irrigation development in the future. This session will bring together the African Union Commission, and experts and representatives from African governments, CGIAR, academia, think tanks, USAID, and the private sector to discuss irrigation strategies that support water, food, energy and climate resilience in the region.