Across Southern Africa, communities face intensifying climate hazards from prolonged droughts and floods to tropical cyclones. These climate impacts threaten the security of water, energy, food and ecosystems, exacerbating vulnerabilities across agriculture-dependent economies. A lack of reliable climate information, ageing infrastructure and limited coordination further limit regional preparedness for climate change’s water impacts.

In response, 13 of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)’s Member States requested TAG to support the Development Bank of Southern Africa and Global Water Partnership Southern Africa in the Regional Climate Resilient Water Investment Programme. SADC-AIP is strengthening political commitment and institutional capacity for water security measures, modernising hydro-climate monitoring networks, and putting in place multi-hazard early warning systems for timely anticipatory action, while a regional blended finance mechanism unlocks public and private investment in climate-resilient infrastructure to secure sustainability and long-term impact.

Through improved hydro-climate services, enhanced early warning and better regional data sharing and coordination, SADC-AIP will directly benefit over 61 million people and indirectly reach a further 207 million. Shifting early warning from a reactive to a proactive posture is guiding investment decisions for water, energy, food and ecosystems, laying the foundation for long-term and inclusive climate-resilient development across southern Africa.