The government through the Ministries of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and Natural Resources and Energy, the Department of Water Affairs, and with technical support from the Global Water Partnership, engaged national stakeholders on 24th of October 2023 at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel.
Ms. Duduzile Nhlengethwa-Masina making opening remarks during the workshop
Stakeholders from the water, agriculture, and energy sector, reviewed a road map that will guide the implementation of the financing strategy. Stakeholders also identified gaps, challenges, and opportunities for financing the prioritized water-related climate technologies.
Officially opening the meeting, the Director of the Eswatini Meteorological Services, Ms. Duduzile Nhlengethwa-Masina, underlined the significance of water technology for mitigating and adapting to climate change. “The technologies that were previously prioritised are inclusive and have the potential to be beneficial in both urban and rural areas,” she emphasised.
In an effort to facilitate the process, national consultant Dr. Samkele Tfwala gave a summary of the prioritisation procedure, the expected effects of climate change in Eswatini, and the completed list of technologies. “It is imperative that Eswatini implements water-related adaptation technologies that are appropriate and relevant for the Kingdom. The implementation of drought-resistant crop types, the promotion of water-efficient practices in industry and agriculture, the improvement of water governance and planning procedures, and other technological advancements are a few examples of these,” said Dr. Samkele Tfwala.
Mrs. Shamiso Kumbirai Mlilwana, Chief of Staff and Investments Specialist at the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa GWPSAF
Mrs. Shamiso Kumbirai Mlilwana, Chief of Staff and Investments Specialist at the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa GWPSAF, presented the pyramid of change for the Africa Investment Programme (AIP) and emphasised its importance in the nation's overall development funding plan. She proceeded to discuss prospective and existing sources of funding in Africa and beyond.
“The financing strategy is looking to build a comprehensive plan that can be taken up for the implementation of the technologies and further build a road map,'' she explained.
Five working groups were formed from the participants, and each working group was given three technologies that were prioritised for in-depth discussion. The current implementation status, possible funders, required policy interventions or activities to help support government support the spread of suggested technologies, and identification of important stakeholders accountable for each stage of technology development were all covered in the discussion topics.
Some of the prioritized technologies include the following: Drought risk assessment and mapping, boreholes/groundwater, drip irrigation, multipurpose dams, roof top harvesting and runoff harvesting, water-saving toilets, real-time monitoring networks , estimations of the minimum amount of water required for irrigation, hydro-geological studies to inform optimal groundwater usage, model predictions on available seasonal water supply, national and community disaster management plans , water allocation quotas and water quality compliance regulations, urban green spaces, flood hazard assessment and mapping, advanced domestic wastewater treatment tanks.
Stakeholder observations included the following: a lack of methods to manage water pollution, especially regarding drinking water supplies. They suggested recycling grey water as a solution to this, which was approved and added to the list of technologies that should be prioritised. A comprehensive market analysis was required for every technology that was given priority. separate investigation that needs more.