Simalabwi is the Executive Secretary of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Southern Africa and Head of GWP Africa Coordination Unit. He is GWP’s global lead on climate change and Global Coordinator of the Water, Climate and Development Programme at GWP HQ, an international organisation set up by the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme and government of Sweden. He is an international development professional with expertise in water resources, economic development, investment strategy design and public policy.

Simalabwi has extensive experience in climate change adaptation and water resources management. He co-chaired the World Bank Expert Group for climate resilience, advised the Bank where to invest its climate funds among 34 countries worldwide. He conceived, developed and leads a programme for investments preparation, water security and climate resilient development across 60 countries spanning four continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean. He has advised more than 20 countries and governments on integration of water into economic national development.

He is the lead author of the report Water Security for Development in Africa and also led the development of the African Union strategic framework for water security and climate resilient development. He holds postgraduate qualifications in business (MBA), civil engineering and a Master’s in public policy from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.