Welcome remarks by DES Mama Keita - Climate–Water–Energy–Food Nexus Solutions for Africa Sustainable Development

Climate-Water-Energy-Food Nexus Solutions for Africa Sustainable Development

The Third Edition of the Dialogue between the OIBC-4, the Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP) Africa and the United Nations Resident Coordinators

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, United Nations Conference (CR5)

26 April 2026, 09:00 -14:55

H.E. Mr. Issifi Boureima, Executive Secretary of the Climate Commission for the Sahel Region,

Distinguished Panellists,

Collegues and Resident Coordinators,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my honour to welcome you to this Third Edition of the Dialogue between the Opportunity and Issue-Based Coalition 4, the Regional Collaborative Platform for Africa and the United Nations Resident Coordinators - convened here at the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa.

We meet at a moment where climate shocks, rising debt pressures, and tightening financial conditions are no longer isolated risks, but mutually reinforcing constraints on growth. The scale is unprecedented: a $4 trillion annual SDG financing gap, including $1.3 trillion for Africa alone. Climate shocks are already reducing GDP up to 2 to 5% annually in vulnerable African economies.

As we speak, disruptions in key maritime routes are already affecting the flow of energy and fertilizers, with direct implications for food prices and economic stability.

For Africa, these developments are not distant; they are immediate, structural and deeply interconnected.

As such, let me begin with a simple but fundamental question: can we truly address climate change without addressing water security? Can we secure food systems without reliable energy? And can we pursue sustainable development when progress in one sector creates risks in another?

Clearly, we can no longer view these as separate challenges. We must move away from disjointed responses, which are designed in silos, institutions operate in isolation, and investments compete rather than reinforce one another.

The result - as always - is inefficiency, missed opportunities and slower progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.

This is why an integrated approach to sensitivity to the Climate-Water-Energy-Food Nexus is critical. It represents a shift from managing individual sectors to managing systems collectively. It moves us from isolated interventions toward integrated solutions that maximize synergies and minimize trade-offs. It is, in essence, a framework for resilience.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

The key question here is not whether the nexus exists. The fundamental question is the degree to which our policies, institutions and financing systems are responsive to this reality.

Encouragingly, signs of progress are beginning to emerge. Across the continent, integrated approaches are arising that link water management with renewable energy deployment, improve irrigation efficiency while reducing emissions and strengthen food systems resilience through better coordination and data. However, these examples remain few and far between.

That is why this dialogue is so important. It provides a platform to deepen our understanding of nexus solutions, to share practical experiences and to identify scalable pathways for implementation and financing.

So where do we go from here? How do we translate this understanding into scalable and transformational interventions

Allow me to propose three priorities to guide our collective action.

First, we must institutionalize policy coherence across sectors. Integration must be embedded in governance systems through stronger inter-ministerial coordination, systemic national development plans and mechanisms that ensure both horizontal and vertical coherence. When policies across water, energy, agriculture and climate are aligned, we reduce inefficiencies and create the conditions for transformative impact.

Second, we must mobilize innovative and integrated financing at scale. Africa cannot meet its development challenges through fragmented financing approaches. We must leverage a full range of instruments, including blended finance, green and blue bonds and carbon markets, while strengthening domestic resource mobilization. At the same time, addressing systemic leakages, particularly illicit financial flows estimated at nearly US$88 billion annually, will be essential to securing resources for investment in resilience and sustainability.

Third, we must invest in data, science and delivery systems. Effective nexus solutions require strong evidence, integrated planning tools and capable institutions. Without this foundation, policies will remain aspirational. With it, we can design and implement solutions that are targeted, efficient and scalable.

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

At its core, this is a debate about strategic development approaches and choices. Do we continue with fragmented approaches that deliver incremental progress, or do we embrace integrated solutions that match the scale and complexity of the challenges before us?

We must keep in mind that Africa's future will not be determined by how well we manage individual sectors, but by how effectively we manage the connections between them.

The nexus therefore is not an option; it is a necessity.

The Economic Commission for Africa is ever ready to support you through our policy research, our convening power and our technical assistance to translate today's discussions into concrete and actionable outcomes.

I wish you fruitful and impactful deliberations.

I thank you.