Alex Simalabwi as GWP’s New Executive Secretary and CEO

Alex Simalabwi as GWP’s New Executive Secretary and CEO

It is my great pleasure to announce the appointment of Alex Simalabwi as Executive Secretary of GWP and CEO of the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO), effective 1 February 2025.

A graduate of Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, with academic qualifications in civil engineering, business administration and public policy, Alex steps into this role during a transformative period for GWP, bringing over 25 years of experience in public policy and impactful leadership in water security and climate resilience. He has a proven track record of mobilising global investments at scale, leading cross-sector teams, and spearheading the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), which is central to GWP’s future growth.

Alex Simalabwi as GWP’s New Executive Secretary and CEO

As Executive Secretary, Alex will serve the GWP Network and act as the CEO of GWPO, which operates as the Network’s Secretariat. Reporting to the Steering Committee, Alex will lead the development of GWP’s new strategy and serve as the President of the Global Investment Programme (GIP) on water and climate resilience, a game-changing global initiative to be launched later in the year, building on the successes and lessons of the AIP and similar initiatives.

We are highly confident that Alex’s leadership will amplify GWP’s global reach as we continue to strengthen our network, develop new ways to grow our resources, and increase our regional impact. 

Alex has been an integral part of GWP for many years, most recently serving as Executive Secretary and CEO of GWP Southern Africa and Global Head of Climate Resilience. In these roles, he has helped mobilised over $1.5 billion in water investments across sixty countries, spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. As CEO of the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), Alex led the development of the Africa Water Investment Action Plan, which aims to close the water investment gap in Africa by mobilising $30 billion annually by 2030.

This leadership transition follows the early retirement of Alan AtKisson, who stepped down as Executive Secretary & CEO on 31 December 2024 due to medical reasons. Alan’s unwavering commitment over the past year has been instrumental in setting the stage for organisational transition and future impact. We are deeply grateful for his contributions.

Pablo Bereciartua

Chair, Global Water Partnership