Three main issues will guide participants in their discussions and be introduced by eminent speakers:

• Challenges ahead:

in which context will African development take place over the next decades? What are the challenges for the continent in terms of food, water and energy?

• Development options:

rainfed vs irrigated agriculture; smallholder vs commercial irrigation, what type of investment will have the most impacts?

• Making it happen:

what prevents progress in water development for agriculture and energy to take place in Africa today, besides the considerable efforts and commitments that were made in the recent past?