Second International SWAN workshop draws African water utilities to Cape Town
05 February 2026
The Smart Water Network Forum (SWAN) will be hosting another annual interactive workshop in partnership with the City of Cape Town, from 9 – 11 March 2026. The objective is to engage the water sector on innovative financing for smart water solutions and foster dialogue between private sector practitioners, policymakers and water utilities, looking to implement digital solutions which transform water management across Africa.
The pressure of rapid population growth, unpredictable climate change and accelerating urbanisation, is negatively impacting existing water supply systems. Cities transitioning to smarter water management technologies support water conservation and improved data management of water consumption.
‘The City of Cape Town is proud to collaborate with SWAN to host an important discussion about the affordability and financing of advanced smart water solutions. We welcome the expertise that will be shared by industry experts in finance, research and water regulation from nine international countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana.
‘They will share the stage alongside speakers from five local municipalities: Cape Town, uMngeni, Drakenstein, George and Mbombela,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
SWAN Workshop details
Date: 9–11 March 2026
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
Theme: Shaping Africa’s Smart Water Future
- Day 1: Interactive workshop on ‘De-Risking Smart Water Financing’
- Day 2: Strategic water and wastewater sessions
- Day 3: City of Cape Town study tour (limited to 50 participants)
View the full agenda and confirmed speakers (20+ utilities) here.
‘Building on the momentum of our first SWAN Cape Town Workshop, this 2026 edition will zoom in on how digital transformation is creating tangible impact across Africa’s water sector. Our intention is to deliver practical, real-world insights from municipal utilities and private-sector leaders, showcasing applied solutions, hard-won lessons (including project pivots), and proven best practices for integrating people, processes, and technology to deliver lasting change,’ said Dr Amir Cahn, CEO of SWAN.
We are pleased to be joined by EY as the sponsor of the ‘De Risking Smart Water Financing’ day of the workshop.
‘As part of our commitment to advancing resilient and future ready water infrastructure, we will be sharing strategic perspectives on smarter procurement models, digital twin technologies and AI driven approaches designed to enhance operational, organisational, customer and financial resilience,’ said Hennie Human, Africa Consulting Leader (EY).
The programme also invites the general public to attend through limited ticket sales and contribute through interactive roundtables. Local businesses in the water sector are encouraged to register for limited exhibition opportunities.
For more information, click here.
About SWAN
The Smart Water Network Forum is a leading global non-profit and membership-based organisation, which brings together water utilities, industry experts, and innovative solution suppliers to unlock digital transformation by promoting and accelerating the adoption of smart, data-driven solutions in water, wastewater, and stormwater networks worldwide.
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Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
