Innovate4Water showcases research on urban water security at the WaterNet Symposium
Two presentations from the Innovate 4 Water Project drew strong interest at the 26th WaterNet Symposium held from 28 to 31 October 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia. The studies provided insights into the dynamics of urban water insecurity and practical pathways for accelerating innovation adoption in Namibia’s water sector.
Ms Rennie Munyayi presented research on Household Water Insecurity Severity Across Urban Areas with Varying Aridity Levels in Sub-Saharan Africa: Examples from Namibia. The study highlighted that urban water security is shaped not only by natural water endowments, but by how infrastructure, governance, and financing interact at local level. Local authorities were identified to be at the heart of this nexus, translating policy into service delivery, managing infrastructure gaps, and navigating fiscal and institutional constraints.
“To achieve SDG 6, we must strengthen local governance capacity, financing frameworks, and accountability mechanisms that make reliable and equitable water access possible household by household, city by city,” said Ms Rennie Munyayi (Innovate 4 Water Work Package 1 Lead).
Dr Vuyisile Dlamini, Innovate 4 Water Work Package 4 researcher, presented on how innovation uptake can be enhanced for urban water security. The research emphasised that institutional support, policy alignment, capacity development, and resource mobilisation are key to the successful adoption of innovative solutions. The work points to the value of collaboration between municipalities, research institutions, and private sector partners to bridge the implementation gap.
“Innovation uptake thrives where systems thinking meets collaboration,” noted Dr Dlamini. “Aligning institutions, policies, and resources allows promising innovation to become impactful solutions”.
Both studies aligned with the symposium theme and contributed actionable evidence on data-driven innovation and inclusive governance for stronger urban resilience.
The Innovate 4 Water Project will continue to promote interdisciplinary research and partnerships that support innovation adoption and long-term sustainability in urban water management.
