On 7 October 2025, the 13th edition of the German – African Webinar Series “Ask the Experts” brought together leading German and African specialists in the Water Sector to discuss how cross-border scientific cooperation can drive progress in water security and climate resilience across the African continent.
The webinar series, jointly developed and hosted by the German Water Partnership (GWP) and the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) within the framework of the German-African Partnership for Water and Sanitation (GAPWAS), highlighted three ongoing initiatives under the Water Security in Africa (WASA) programme. Each project demonstrates how joint research, African leadership, and applied innovation can generate practical solutions for Southern Africa’s pressing water challenges.
WASA Projects were invited to introduce to their research activities and to exchange with the community of practitioners on integration and upscaling opportunities. The webinar was attended by around 40 professionals. Afterwards, the presentation was shared on the AfWASAs knowledge exchange platform with about 490 professionals from water utilities, water authorities and the industry across Africa. Dr. Mamohloding Tlhagale-Maahlo from the Water Research Commission of South Africa and Member of the WASA Governing Board opened the session by emphasizing the importance of science–policy–practice integration:
These projects show how research and implementation can go hand in hand to deliver tangible improvements for communities and ecosystems.
Featured WASA Research Initiatives
1. SeeKaquA – Semi-airborne Electromagnetic Exploration of the Kalahari Aquifers
Dr. Wiebke Mörbe (Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics, LIAG) presented the new semi-airborne geophysical methods that reveal deep groundwater resources in the Kalahari Basin with unprecedented precision.
These insights support evidence-based planning for drinking-water supply in arid and semi-arid regions, strengthening long-term resilience for rural communities, utilities, and water authorities.
2. Co-HYDIM-SA – Co-Design of a Hydrometeorological Information System for Sustainable Water Resources Management in Southern Africa
Dr. Simon Ageet (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT) showcased a jointly developed, AI-supported early warning system capable of detecting droughts and floods across pilot regions in Namibia, Angola, Botswana, and South Africa.
Designed through close collaboration with basin organisations, national services, and local water managers, the system aims to provide operationally relevant, user-driven information.
Effective early warning systems emerge only when research and practice are tightly aligned.
Dr. Ageed
3. MAMDIWAS – Making Mining-Influenced Water a Driver for Change
Dr. Christoff Truter (Stellenbosch University Water Institute) and Yasin Imran Rony (Urban Living Lab Center, Wuppertal Institute) introduced innovative approaches for treating and reusing mining-impacted water—a critical issue for Southern Africa’s mining-driven economies.
The project combines real-time biosensing technologies with inclusive governance models, engaging municipalities, mines, regulators, and local communities.
It showcases how technology, policy, and stakeholder participation can collaboratively improve water quality and unlock new pathways for circular water management.
Strengthening African–German Partnerships for Water Security
GWP and AfWASA will continue the “Ask the Experts” series as part of GAPWAS, providing an open platform for African water professionals, researchers, policymakers, and private-sector actors to discuss emerging trends, practical tools, and innovation pathways in the African water and sanitation sector.
Upcoming sessions will further explore climate resilience, digital water solutions, governance, finance, and capacity development, promoting sustained dialogue and partnership across the continent.
WASA Projects are invited to share more about their ongoing activities in the forthcoming Ask the Experts Webinars.
