An event in Cannes has marked the launch of The OpenAg Foundation, a non-profit foundation on a mission to deliver food security, develop farmer resilience, and support smallholder farmers facing the effects of climate change.
Its inaugural initiative, the Water Security Project known as Water for Harmony, aims to drill 1,000 boreholes in Southern Africa, bringing clean drinking water to an estimated one million people. The campaign successfully raised $1.3 million USD towards the programme during the event.
The boreholes will supply clean water to people, livestock, and wildlife, enabling farmers to irrigate crops and easing tensions in regions where scarce resources have fuelled conflict. The scheme follows a successful pilot project in Zambia, where only 49% of the rural population has access to basic drinking water services. The 10 pilot boreholes in Zambia proved critical in transforming access to water, improving food production, and even reducing human-wildlife conflict in rural communities.
The Water Security Project is not just about clean water; it is about building peace, health, and economic stability. In areas where access to water is a daily struggle, this project provides a new future for vulnerable communities. Each borehole is expected to support 250 to 500 people, delivering a lifeline to families and farmers whose livelihoods depend on water.
The OpenAg Foundation will be chaired by Jai Shroff, one of the world’s leading voices on sustainable agricultural development. He will be joined by an experienced board representing diverse global expertise in sustainability, business, and politics from across the developing world. The Foundation’s vision is to enable sustainable transformation through collaboration, innovation, and grassroots empowerment.
The board includes:
- Mauricio Macri, Former President of Argentina and President of the FIFA Foundation
- Chipokota Mwanawasa, Zambian lawyer, farmer and entrepreneur
- Sean de Cleene, Co-Chair Emeritus of Grow Africa
- Fatma Al Khater, Founder of Torba Farms Qatar
- David Schaerli, private banker and lawyer
The OpenAg Foundation will soon announce its CEO and other leadership positions to strengthen its impact delivery and scale operations across Africa.
At its core, the Water Security Project is part of a broader mission to establish the Foundation as a driving force for global food security. The organization aims to work alongside stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to promote sustainable practices at the smallholder level. This includes technical and financial assistance to farmers, championing progressive agricultural policies, and supporting access to affordable and improved seeds and inputs.
Jai Shroff launched the Water Security Project during a fundraising event held at the Martinez Hotel Cannes Film Festival, in partnership with luxury brand Chopard. During the event, guests were invited to “adopt a borehole” in Southern Africa — a symbolic and actionable opportunity for attendees to make a tangible difference. Each borehole serves as a critical asset to ensure water availability for human use, farming, and ecological stability.
Beyond gala fundraisers, The OpenAg Foundation draws funding from a variety of sources including corporate partnerships, development finance institutions, and philanthropic donors. The organization is building a pipeline of collaborations to extend the impact of its Water Security Project and ensure long-term sustainability.
The launch coincided with a critical climate report from the Copernicus Global Drought Observatory, which warned that rising global temperatures and lower-than-average rainfall are worsening drought conditions across Africa. The urgency to act has never been greater. Entire communities are facing water scarcity, failed crops, and food shortages. Projects like Water for Harmony are no longer optional — they are essential.
Jai Shroff, Chairman of the OpenAg Foundation, emphasized the importance of such projects, stating:
“The role of smallholder farmers has never been so important. On one hand, they need access to new technology, seeds, and even basic needs like clean drinking water – while on the other, they need backing at a policy level to help increase food security across the world.”
“This is why we launched The OpenAg Foundation. We want to transition farmers to sustainable agricultural methods and build coalitions that create lasting change. But too many of these farmers are living in extreme poverty, so we need to target their short-term survival and prosperity, too.”
“We launched the Water for Harmony project to achieve just that. With much of Africa gripped by drought, we want to provide communities with fresh running water to feed their families and livestock, and irrigate their failing crops. Ultimately, we want to support smallholder farmers at every stage of their lives.”
A Call to Global Support
The success of the initial Water Security Project campaign is just the beginning. As The OpenAg Foundation scales this effort, the global community — from private donors to policymakers — is invited to support sustainable water access across Africa.
