PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has been awarded the presidential global water changemakers prize for 2025, a prestigious citation presented by the Global Water Partnership in collaboration with the African Union (AU).

Botswana President Duma Boko, who chairs the 2025 awards committee, delivered the citation on Wednesday, received on behalf of President Samia by High Commissioner James Bwana, the country’s envoy to South Africa.

The award was nominated at a three-day summit from August 13 to 15, bringing together high-level leaders, policymakers and water sector experts from across the continent and beyond, meant to celebrate visionary leadership in advancing sustainable water management.

Members of the citation committee reached the award consensus during the AU-AIP Africa Water Investment Summit 2025 here on Tuesday, where President Samia was recognised for her significant contribution to reforming Tanzania’s water sector.

Under her leadership, the country has undertaken extensive construction of water infrastructure, expanded water distribution systems across both urban and rural areas, and introduced innovative financing mechanisms, the award committee underscored.

 A key example is the Green Bond issued by the Tanga Water Authority, which has mobilised investment for sustainable water supply projects, it affirmed, where the presentation was also attended by top officials from across the region.

Other global and continental leaders awarded for their achievements in water sector development include South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, along with Lesotho’s King Letsie III.

King Mswati III of Eswatini joined President Boko in presenting the honours to the recipients, with former President Jakaya Kikwete, serving as co-chairman of the high-level panel on water investments for Africa, participating in the summit.

The summit leadership underscored that his presence shows Tanzania’s ongoing leadership role in shaping continental strategies for sustainable water investments, noting that with nearly 600 delegates in attendance, the summit has focused on accelerating investment in Africa’s water infrastructure.

It is directed at improving access to safe water and promoting climate-resilient water systems, the citation remarks noted, affirming that the recognition of President Samia’s efforts marks another milestone in Tanzania’s quest to ensure universal access to clean and safe water. It also positions the country as a model for innovative financing and inclusive water governance, it added.