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Water Security Africa 2026 Programme

Strategic sessions and technical insights designed to help industrial, commercial and public-sector leaders strengthen operational water resilience across Africa. Explore the full agenda shaping the continent’s water-secure future.

The Water Security Africa programme.

Two days on water as a business risk and a business opportunity, from boardroom strategy and policy reform to financing, reuse and the technology that keeps supply running.

Wednesday 28 October · Day 1 Water Security Africa
07:3009:30
Registration & welcome coffee
09:3010:15
All programmes Welcome · Ministerial keynote address · Keynote address
10:1511:30
Keynote panel · All programmes Threats and opportunities in South Africa's industrial future
11:3012:00
BOMA Village If Johannesburg lost water tomorrow… Session details ↓
12:0013:00
Lunch & networking
13:0014:30
Executive Leadership Forum Water security is now a boardroom issue Session details ↓
14:3015:15
Refresh and Connect
15:1516:15
Session From policy to implementation Session details ↓
16:1517:00
C&I Leadership Forum Water independence Session details ↓
17:0017:30
Industry Spotlight Designing water-resilient cities Session details ↓
17:30
All programmes A social pause: Connect networking function
Thursday 29 October · Day 2 Water Security Africa
09:3011:00
Session Financing South Africa's water future Session details ↓
11:0011:30
Refresh and Connect
11:3012:30
Digital Water Forum Smart water systems Session details ↓
12:3013:30
Lunch & networking
13:3014:30
Industry Spotlight Food, beverage & agriculture Session details ↓
14:3015:00
Refresh and Connect
15:0015:45
Industry in Action From wastewater to strategic asset Session details ↓
15:4516:30
Industry Showcase Industrial water leadership in action Session details ↓
16:30
All programmes A social pause: Connect networking function · Close of summit

Ten sessions on building water resilience.

Forums, spotlights and showcases for the businesses, municipalities and financiers working to keep South Africa's water supply secure.

BOMA Village

If Johannesburg lost water tomorrow…

A collaborative executive scenario on resilience, response and recovery

A facilitated exercise that puts delegates in front of a major water disruption hitting Johannesburg's economy, then works across sectors on preparedness, business continuity and a joint response.

Discussion will explore

  • Business continuity planning
  • Municipal and industry coordination
  • Infrastructure resilience and emergency response
  • Alternative water supply strategies
  • Digital technologies supporting crisis management
Executive Leadership Forum

Water security is now a boardroom issue

Why reliable water supply has become a strategic business priority

Water now shapes business continuity, investment decisions, ESG performance and competitiveness. This forum looks at how organisations are building water resilience into strategic planning.

Discussion will explore

  • Water security as a strategic business and investment risk
  • Water resilience in ESG and enterprise risk strategies
  • Protecting operations against supply and climate disruptions
  • Collaboration between business, municipalities and government
Session

From policy to implementation

Delivering South Africa's water reform agenda

South Africa has some of the world's strongest water policy, but implementation lags. This session looks at how government and industry move from policy to measurable action.

Discussion will explore

  • What the National Water Amendment Bill means for C&I water users
  • Rebuilding trust between industry, municipalities and government
  • Enforcement, governance and institutional capacity
  • Licensing, regulatory reform and investment certainty
C&I Leadership Forum

Water independence

Building industrial water resilience

Commercial and industrial organisations are investing in alternative sources, reuse, decentralised infrastructure and digital tools to cut operational risk.

Discussion will explore

  • Reducing dependence on municipal supply
  • Groundwater, decentralised treatment and on-site storage
  • Water reuse and recycling to lower operating costs
  • Industrial case studies with measurable results
Industry Spotlight

Designing water-resilient cities

Future-proofing buildings, precincts and critical infrastructure

Ageing infrastructure, water stress and climate disruption are changing how cities and critical facilities are planned, built and run.

Discussion will explore

  • Decentralised water systems, on-site treatment and storage
  • Protecting critical infrastructure, including data centres
  • Green Building standards and investor expectations
  • Smart buildings and digital water technologies
Session

Financing South Africa's water future

Unlocking investment to accelerate resilient infrastructure

How financiers and industry can work together to unlock the capital needed to modernise water infrastructure and secure long-term resilience.

Discussion will explore

  • Building bankable water infrastructure projects
  • Blended finance and innovative funding mechanisms
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Reducing investment risk and strengthening investor confidence
Digital Water Forum

Smart water systems

Using digital technologies to improve asset performance, efficiency and resilience

The technologies helping organisations monitor infrastructure, manage demand, cut losses and run more resilient water systems.

Discussion will explore

  • AI, digital twins and predictive analytics in industrial water
  • Digital asset management and predictive maintenance
  • Real-time data to reduce non-revenue water
  • Integrating digital tools into existing operations
Industry Spotlight

Food, beverage & agriculture

Water stewardship across the food value chain

Drought risk, rising water costs and consumer expectations are pushing producers and manufacturers to rethink how water is sourced, managed and reused.

Discussion will explore

  • Water-efficient manufacturing and processing
  • Water reuse and recycling in food and beverage facilities
  • Water stewardship across agricultural supply chains
  • Balancing quality, compliance and efficiency
Industry in Action

From wastewater to strategic asset

Unlocking value through industrial water reuse

Wastewater is becoming a resource. This session showcases the treatment technologies, reuse solutions and business cases behind the next generation of industrial water resilience.

Discussion will explore

  • Scaling industrial water reuse and circular systems
  • Advanced treatment and Zero Liquid Discharge
  • Resource recovery and waste-to-energy
  • Building the ROI case for water reuse
Industry Showcase

Industrial water leadership in action

How South Africa's leading organisations are building water resilience

Cross-sector case studies from mining, manufacturing, food production, property and critical infrastructure, with practical solutions and lessons others can replicate.

Discussion will explore

  • Water resilience strategies with measurable business value
  • Alternative supply and circular water solutions
  • Public-private partnerships for water security
  • Lessons from implementation and scaling

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