African Water Development Report 2006 - United Nations Economic ...

The New ThrustAfter the so called “lost decade” of the 1980s, Africais now at a turning point, and although theprospects are mixed, the positive indicators showthat far-reaching economic reforms are underway across the continent and have begun to yieldgood results in some countries. Yilma E. (1996),in acknowledging this turnaround, refers to thestructural adjustment programmes (SAPs) beingimplemented to correct structural economic imbalancesand stimulate faster private sector growth;to the high growth rates ranging from 3 per centto more than 8 per cent in some countries; and toFigure 1.2: Dynamics of GDP Growth in AfricaSUB REGIONSouthern AfricaEast AfricaCentral AfricaWest AfricaGDP GROWTH IN AFRICA BY SUB REGIONGreater awareness of the link between gender inequalityand the perpetuation of poverty in Africahas led to renewed commitment to genderequality by African Heads of State who made aSolemn Declaration on gender equality in July2004. These positive trends, especially the concertedefforts being made, point to better daysfor the provision of food security and safe drinkingwater for the majority of Africans.The political and socio-economic atmosphere haschanged for the better in many African countries(figure 1.2). Furthermore, Africa is at theforefront of international water concerns as theactions of the UN-Water Africa demonstrates.Significant is the stakeholders Conference onWater and Sustainable Development organizedby this body in conjunction with the ADB inAccra in April 2002, to identify and establish aconsensus on the main priorities for water developmentin the continent and to help mobilizethe necessary financial resources for them. TheINTRODUCTION - WATER FOR SUSTAINABLE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTNorth AfricaAfrica0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7GDP Growth Rate 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002the favourable climate for increased domestic andforeign investment being created, and to capitalmarkets and African entrepreneurship.Conference recommended the establishment ofan African Water Facility to help organize thefifor meeting.The Conference further recommended that theFacility be housed within the ADB, that detailedstudies be undertaken to determine the financialresources required, the possible sources of fundingand the operational modalities. The objectiveof the Facility is to provide investment supportfor water resources management and water ser-13