Historic new partnership set to transform water security for Lagos

The LWP was launched by the Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA) – an innovative initiative dedicated to mobilising private and public finance for water projects that enhance climate resilience in vulnerable communities.

Lagos, already home to 20 million people, is also one of the fastest growing cities in Africa with a growth of 77 people per hour between 2010 and 2030. Despite being surrounded by wetlands, lagoons and the Atlantic Ocean, just 10% of people living in Lagos have access to a municipal water supply. The city is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change including sea-level rise and flooding.

The government of Lagos officially launched the LWP at the inauguration event on 9 July, held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel. Highlights of the event included the unveiling of LWP members, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and the exchange of memoranda of understanding between key stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, academic experts, civil society groups, and development partners.

Establishment of the new LWP represents a major milestone in the Resilient Water Accelerator’s mission to unlock new sources of financing for necessary climate-resilient water projects. This could include enhancing urban and rural water supply infrastructure, introducing innovative technologies, and spearheading the review and development of sector policies and regulations.