WLE representatives gave an overivew of perspectives on trans-boundary water management from the Nile Basin/East Africa.

1. Greater Mekong Forum,
Oct. 21-23, 215
Trans-boundary Water, Food and Energy Nexus
Perspectives and lessons from the Nile Basin/
East Africa
Simon Langan –Focal Region Coordinator
Zadoc Ogutu –Focal Region Manager

2. S/Sudan

3. Main Areas of Concern
• Innovative practices to address
current and future crises
Demographic expansion/youth bulge,
Energy and food shortages,
Climate variability and change
• Demand for basin-wide
investments that recognize trade-
offs – GERD, Rusumo Falls HEP and
Rumela-Burdana dams
• Models of NRM interventions that
enhance gender and social equity
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance
Dam (GERD)

4. What is needed?
• Tools/mechanism for enhancing water use –
agriculture, domestic and industry
• Working through partnerships - Mobilising funds for multi-
purpose investments and infrastructure is hard without co-operation
• Sharing evidence on good practices with partners
(EAC, NBI, LVC, IGAD) - Prioritize TBW in programs
• Building individual and organization capacities
• Primary data and analysis for integrated solutions
(biophysical, socio-economic)

5. Irrigated Agriculture
Flood
management
Watershed
Management
Regional
Transmission
System
Local
Community
Infrastructure
Hydromet
System
Hydropower
Water-Energy-Food nexus
Solutions
Fisheries &
aquaculture
From Single Output … to Multiple Interests

6. W-E-F Nexus C’D
• From sharing water (quantity) to sharing benefits -
incentives for cooperation
Direct economic: from the river
productive use e.g. irrigation/food
Reducing costs: because of river
e.g. conflicts
Indirect economic: beyond the river
e.g. regional integration
Environmental: to the river
e.g. water quality & biodiversity

7. WLE NBEA Project Sites
Sudd Swamp
White Nile
Categories:
Cluster 1: Trade-offs in
Development of NRM
Cluster 2: Alternative
solutions for SLM
Cluster 3: Governance
and social equity

8. Key Research Questions
1) How can we ensure that investments in food, water and
energy are sustainable and meet regional, national and
sub-national growth and poverty goals?
2) What are the political and economic contexts, drivers and
governance arrangements that will affect NRM use over
the coming decade?
3) What development solutions strengthen the position of
women and young farmers

9. Integrate WLE gender and ecosystem services perspectives, databases and tools (KAS)
Engage and dialogue (Attitude)
Strengthen the capacity in gender and
ecosystem services (Skills)
Document and share
lessons (knowledge)

10. Expected Research outcomes
1) Improved awareness, knowledge and skills in ecosystem
services and gender equity among national and regional
organizations
2) Adoption of inclusive approaches in agricultural and
infrastructural development by the NARs and universities,
and investors /development and partners
3) Government Ministries and organizations responsible for
NRM consider the trade-offs for better decision making on
ecosystems services and social equity

11. Indicators towards Outcome 1
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Inventory reports/Data bases created
Technical reports released
NRM interventions assessed
Testing of innovations
Scientific publications/journals…
PhD/Masters Theses released
Training /workshops conducted
Policy briefs
Progress Reports
Curricula/module/ tool kits developed
Number of universities, local authorities, government
Departments/ Ministries making informed decisions

12. Indicators towards Outcome 2
0 5 10 15 20 25
Stakeholder consultations
Joint plans/strategies/protocols
Policy processes
Methodology/models/tools developed
Decision support tools developed
Consultative meetings - women, investors, partners
Gendered approaches promoted
Adoption of inclusive approaches in agricultural and infrastructural
development by the NARs and universities, and investors /
development and partners

13. Indicators towards Outcome 3
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Land use scenarios
New NRM Approaches
Investment criteria
developed
Government Ministries and organizations responsible for NRM consider
the trade-offs for better decision making on ecosystems services and
social equity

14. Bright & Hot spots in 9 months
• Initiated collaboration with
partners & next users
• Integration of science (inter- and
intra-project collaboration)
• Raising awareness on ES approach
• Enhancing gender and social
equity research

15. Challenges in 9 months
• Integration of WLE projects with
other flagships (and links to
other CRP’s)
• Moving towards outcomes &
evidence
• Deepening stakeholder
engagement – 2 projects in the heart
of politics (VWU & Nile Water
Accounting)
• Working across regions

16. Conclusions
• WFE nexus is constrained by population and economic growth
• Nexus is a difficult choice facing policy-makers – win-win
situation to avoid favoring one pillar over the other
• Inclusive investment analyses in development of TBW programs
(balancing water demands for electricity and food) are key in
mitigating strains in the nexus
• The need for science-based evidence to inform policy decisions
has never been greater
• Opportunity for cross-basin learning – Mekong, Volta & Ganges