Seminar: Water Challenges in Africa - 9 February

Africa will have two billion people by 2050 for whom it will be necessary to ensure food, water and energy. Increased agricultural production for food security is indispensable. To achieve this, a control and effective management of water resources for agriculture and energy will be unavoidable. Several techniques exist and can enable the continent to meet this challenge.

Africa is the second driest continent after Australia and many Africans are constantly victims of water shortages even though the continent is full of water resources, thanks to the major rivers (Congo River, the Nile, River Niger, etc..) and lakes (Lake Chad and Lake Victoria). But according to a study by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African countries control less than 4% of their potential water while in rich countries, this rate is from 70 to 80% and in Asia, it has increased from less than 4% to almost 50% over the last thirty years. In addition, fourteen African countries already suffer from a scarcity of water resources, and it is estimated that 11 others will suffer the same fate in 2025.

This seminar will offer you and your company an excellent networking opportunity as well as a good understanding of the realities of doing business in Africa and the opportunities for the Dutch water sector, highly desired.

Highlights of the program:

1.    Explanation of policy letter "Water for Development” Secretary of State Knapen by Dr. P.van der Male Sr. Policy Officer Water and Sanitation, representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for International Cooperation. Part of the policy letter is about how and in which countries the coming years water programs will be implemented. Read the policy letter.

2.    Dr.ir.  Kees van ‘t Klooster, Project Director Africa at Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, will concentrate on ‘green’ water, that is water for food and environment. After the World Food Crises Africa is now the place where huge investments in increased food production are taking place. To do that in a sustainable way is quite a challenge for the next decade in the harsh conditions prevailing in many parts of Africa. He will also speak on how Dutch companies can benefit from these developments.

3.    Paul Bonné BSc. is one of the region managers integrated water projects for World Waternet. With long-lasting experiences in the field of water Supply and Sanitation projects he has a lot of experience in the field of institutional development. Key words are research and development, engineering of water treatment processes, optimization. Working field is the Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia and Suriname.

 4.    Outcomes of the research on available financials tools for the agricultural sector in North- Africa presented by representative of ministry of economic affairs, agriculture and innovation. More about the research.

Date : 9 February 2012
Time: 15:30 - 18:00

Location: Holland Gateway - Schiphol
                  WTC Schiphol Airport
                  Schiphol Boulevard 167
                  1118 BG Schiphol

Fee: Nabc Members €60 (excl vat)
         Non-Members  €95 (excl vat)

Contact Nouria Ouibrahim for more information and to register: nouria.ouibrahim@nabc.nl.