WISA leads new wave of innovation and youth empowerment at IFAT Africa 2025
The Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) is set to play a prominent role at IFAT Africa 2025, championing innovation and sustainability in water management across the continent. Taking place from 8 to 10 July 2025 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, this leading trade fair addresses critical challenges faced by sub-Saharan Africa in water, sewage, refuse, and recycling solutions. WISA has organised a series of three free masterclasses focused on fresh, practical approaches to some of the region’s most pressing water and environmental issues.
The masterclasses, spread over the three event days, target diverse groups including students, professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders, aiming to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. Day one spotlights youth innovation for a sustainable future, featuring entrepreneurial projects and scalable technological solutions driven by young leaders. This session highlights how youth can bridge economic opportunity with environmental resilience, a vital synergy in a continent grappling with water scarcity, pollution, and infrastructure deficits.
On day two, attention shifts to mining, an industry traditionally viewed as extractive but now challenged to evolve into a force for environmental regeneration and social equity. WISA’s session explores the potential of Social and Labour Plans (SLPs) to transform post-mining landscapes into assets for communities and ecosystems, especially in water-stressed regions. This aligns with broader efforts showcased at IFAT Africa to mitigate mining-related environmental impacts such as Acid Mine Drainage, a topic of increasing concern given South Africa’s extensive mining legacy.
The final day offers a practical introduction to machine learning for water professionals, designed for non-technical experts. This workshop aims to demystify how data-driven approaches can enhance infrastructure management, leak detection, water quality monitoring, and overall decision-making processes. By empowering project managers, engineers, and sustainability leaders to harness technology, WISA hopes to catalyse smarter, evidence-based water management practices throughout the sector.
IFAT Africa itself serves as a vital platform where global and local stakeholders converge to showcase innovations and forge partnerships that address environmental challenges. The event highlights the latest advances in water treatment, sewage management, waste recycling, and sustainable practices, facilitating connections between African enterprises and international companies. NuWater, for example, a company specialising in adaptable water treatment solutions tailored for the diverse conditions of sub-Saharan Africa, plans to demonstrate its technologies aimed at urban and arid environments.
Beyond technology, IFAT Africa underscores the importance of youth empowerment and community engagement, exemplified by initiatives like the University Challenge that involve students in tackling real-world environmental problems. This focus complements WISA’s vision of inclusive, future-ready leadership in water sustainability.
The collaboration between IFAT Africa and WISA, formalised since 2018, reflects a strategic alignment to advance sustainable water supply and wastewater treatment in Southern Africa. Combining expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, they aim to comprehensively tackle the water crisis facing the region. This partnership injects authoritative expertise into the trade fair, ensuring that dialogues and solutions presented are not only innovative but also grounded in local realities and professional insights.
With attendance free upon registration, this three-day event represents a unique opportunity for association executives and trade body leaders to engage with industry developments that could profoundly impact member organisations’ strategies and operations. Attendees will gain exposure to emerging trends, network with key decision-makers, and access tools essential for guiding members through the evolving landscape of water and environmental sustainability in Africa.