Africa's Urgent Search for Solutions to Water Scarcity
Addis Ababa, 18 June 2026
The African Union is calling for research papers to tackle water scarcity, a crisis affecting millions, including refugees in East Africa. Discover how innovative solutions could transform lives in drought-prone regions.
Why Water Scarcity Demands Immediate Action
Water scarcity in Africa is not a future threat—it is a present crisis. Over 300 million Africans lack access to clean drinking water, while 700 million live without basic sanitation [1]. In East Africa, regions like Turkana County in Kenya face severe droughts that disrupt agriculture, force migration, and deepen poverty [1]. Refugee camps such as Kakuma and Kalobeyei, home to over 200,000 displaced people, rely on water deliveries that are often delayed or contaminated [1][GPT]. The African Union (AU) has identified water sustainability as a priority in its Agenda 2063, aiming to ensure universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2030 [1]. However, progress has been slow, with climate change exacerbating the problem. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns have reduced water availability in key basins, including the Nile and Lake Chad, by up to 30% over the past two decades [GPT].
The AU Echo 2026 Conference: A Platform for Solutions
To accelerate progress, the AU has launched a call for research papers for its 2026 AU Echo conference, themed ‘Water Sustainability and Sanitation in Africa’ [1]. The conference, scheduled for November 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to present innovative solutions [1]. The AU is particularly interested in projects that address: (1) water conservation in drought-prone areas, (2) affordable sanitation technologies for rural and urban communities, (3) climate-resilient water infrastructure, and (4) policies to improve water governance [1]. Successful submissions will be published in the conference proceedings and may influence AU policies and funding priorities [1].
Who Can Submit and How to Apply
The call for papers is open to individuals and organisations working on water-related projects in Africa, including academics, NGOs, government agencies, and private sector entities [1]. Submissions must focus on original research, case studies, or policy analyses that demonstrate practical solutions to water scarcity [1]. Key eligibility criteria include: (1) relevance to the AU’s thematic areas, (2) evidence of impact or potential for scalability, and (3) alignment with the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction [1]. Applicants must submit an abstract of no more than 500 words by 30 September 2026, along with a brief biography and institutional affiliation [1]. Full papers, not exceeding 8,000 words, are due by 31 December 2026 [1]. All submissions must be in English or French and adhere to the AU’s formatting guidelines, available on the conference website [1].
How to Access Guidelines and Submission Portal
Prospective applicants can access the full call for papers and submission guidelines on the AU’s official website [1]. The key documents section includes: (1) the conference concept note, (2) formatting requirements, (3) evaluation criteria, and (4) a FAQ page [1]. The submission portal will open on 1 July 2026 and can be accessed via the AU Echo 2026 webpage [1]. Applicants are encouraged to review the Africa Water Vision 2025, which outlines the continent’s strategic goals for water security, to ensure their research aligns with regional priorities [1]. For technical support, the AU has set up a dedicated email address: auecho2026@africa-union.org [1].
Funding and Support for Participants
The AU has allocated funding to support the participation of researchers from low-income countries and marginalised communities, including women and youth [1]. Selected applicants may receive grants to cover travel, accommodation, and conference fees [1]. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate a clear benefit to vulnerable populations, such as refugees, rural farmers, and urban slum dwellers [1]. Additionally, the AU is partnering with international organisations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank, to provide mentorship and capacity-building workshops for shortlisted applicants [1]. These workshops, scheduled for early 2027, will focus on scaling up successful projects and securing additional funding [1].
Deadlines and Key Dates to Remember
Applicants must adhere to the following deadlines to ensure their submissions are considered: (1) abstract submission: 30 September 2026, (2) notification of abstract acceptance: 31 October 2026, (3) full paper submission: 31 December 2026, and (4) final conference programme announcement: 31 January 2027 [1]. Late submissions will not be accepted, and extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, such as natural disasters or political instability in the applicant’s country [1]. The AU has emphasised the importance of timely submissions to allow for thorough peer review and logistical planning [1].
The Broader Impact: Beyond the Conference
The AU Echo 2026 conference is more than an academic exercise—it is a critical step toward achieving water security in Africa [1]. The AU plans to use the research presented at the conference to inform its policy recommendations to member states and development partners [1]. For example, successful projects from previous AU conferences have led to the adoption of rainwater harvesting systems in Ethiopia and solar-powered desalination plants in Namibia [GPT]. The AU also intends to create a digital repository of the submitted papers, making them accessible to policymakers, investors, and communities across the continent [1]. This initiative aligns with the AU’s broader goal of fostering South-South cooperation, where African nations share knowledge and resources to address common challenges [1].