Latest IWMI Publications

Regional Strategic Roadmap: Middle East and North Africa 2024–2030

2026-09-19T01:01:58Z

dc.title: Regional Strategic Roadmap: Middle East and North Africa 2024–2030 dc.contributor.author: International Water Management Institute

Integrating Machine Learning to Assess Climate Risks on Reservoir’s Inflow and Hydropower Generation across West African Basins

2026-09-19T01:03:19Z

dc.title: Integrating Machine Learning to Assess Climate Risks on Reservoir’s Inflow and Hydropower Generation across West African Basins dc.contributor.author: Akaffou, Franck Hervé; Obahoundje, Salomon; Diedhiou, Arona; Kouassi, Kouakou Lazare; Diallo, Dior; Amoussou, Ernest; Yamegueu, Daniel; Ofosu, Eric Antwi dcterms.abstract: This study presents a novel five-step ensemble machine learning approach to improve predictive accuracy in assessing climate change impacts on inflow patterns and hydropower generation across seven dam basins in West Africa. The methodology integrates precipitation and temperature using the multi-lag approach. An initial pool of fifteen machine learning models were evaluated, and top-performing models were selected for further refinement through iterative ensemble stacking and weak learner elimination. Historical analysis (1983–2014) utilized CHIRPS and CHIRTS datasets. Future projections employed twelve bias-adjusted CMIP6 models and their ensemble mean (EnsMean) under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 for the near (2036–2067) and far (2068–2099) futures. Results showed notable improvements in model accuracy and efficiency across layers, with R² and NSE exceeding 0.6 for all inflow simulations and for selected energy simulations (Bagre, Nangbeto, and Taabo). Projections indicated warming up to 4.5°C and spatially heterogeneous precipitation changes across basins and scenarios, with SSP5-8.5 projecting the most pronounced shifts. Inflow reductions are projected to reach up to 24% at Buyo and 13% at Nangbeto, while hydropower output may decline by up to 19% at Nangbeto and 58% at Taabo in the future. Conversely, Manantali and Taabo are projected to experience inflow increases, and Bagre may see energy gains of up to 42% under SSP5-8.5. These findings highlight heightened vulnerability, as well as contrasting opportunities across the region, underscoring the urgent need for adaptive management strategies, such as enhancing hydropower system resilience, diversifying energy portfolios, and integrating renewable sources to mitigate climate risks. Hydropower managers and policymakers must prioritize proactive measures to ensure energy security and sustainable resource management amid changing climatic conditions.

Impacts of Water Bunds on Vegetation and Soil Moisture in Pastoral Land in Kenya

2026-09-18T06:21:41Z

dc.title: Impacts of Water Bunds on Vegetation and Soil Moisture in Pastoral Land in Kenya dc.contributor.author: Rajkhowa, Pallavi; Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Owusu, Afua; Zane, Giulia; Owino, Jesse; Kemboi, Jackie; de Haas, Sander dcterms.abstract: Land degradation in semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa increasingly threatens ecosystem function and rural livelihoods. Water bunds—simple earthen structures designed to slow runoff and enhance water infiltration—have been widely promoted as a low-cost, nature-based restoration strategy, yet robust causal evidence on their environmental impacts remains limited. This study assesses the effects of water bund interventions implemented across project sites in Kenya, where approximately 689,000 bunds were constructed between 2016 and 2025, using an Earth Observation based impact evaluation. We employed a spatial panel design based on a 1 km² grid observed annually from 2014 to 2025, with treatment defined at the grid level by the presence of bunds. Control units (never-treated grids) were selected using propensity score matching with a nearest-neighbour algorithm to ensure comparability on pre-intervention characteristics, including rainfall, temperature, night-time lights, and soil moisture. Environmental outcomes—specifically vegetation greenness (NDVI) and soil moisture (surface and subsurface)—were estimated using a staggered Difference-in-Differences framework following the Callaway and Sant’Anna estimator. The results indicate that water bund construction significantly improves vegetation greenness and soil moisture in treated areas. On average, water bunds increased NDVI by 3 percent, topsoil moisture by 1 percent, and subsurface soil moisture by 1.4 percent relative to pre-treatment levels. Dynamic treatment effects showed no evidence of pre-treatment trends for NDVI and topsoil moisture, while impacts evolved over time: NDVI declined in the construction year, likely due to land disturbance, before increasing steadily to about 12 percent above baseline by the fifth year. Soil moisture responded immediately following construction and remained elevated for two to three years, indicating that water bunds generate sustained improvements in water retention and vegetation recovery. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods

Community Participation Holds the Key to India’s Water Future

2026-09-16T10:45:45Z

dc.title: Community Participation Holds the Key to India’s Water Future dc.contributor.author: Bhaduri, Tanmoy; Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Kumar, Gopal cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

Planetary Boundaries: The Devil is in the Detail

2026-09-11T10:47:56Z

dc.title: Planetary Boundaries: The Devil is in the Detail dc.contributor.author: Molden, David J. dcterms.abstract: A global limit on water consumption is necessary, but the suggested planetary boundary of 4,000 cubic kilometres per year is too generous.

Training Workshop on the Small Reservoirs Dashboard: From Data to Decision

2026-09-12T01:11:30Z

dc.title: Training Workshop on the Small Reservoirs Dashboard: From Data to Decision dc.contributor.author: Akpoti, Komlavi; Appiah, Sarah dcterms.abstract: This report documents a training workshop on the Small Reservoirs Dashboard held at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala Campus, Ghana. Developed under the CGIAR Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Program, the dashboard integrates information on more than 2,000 reservoirs across northern Ghana, combining satellite time-series analysis, field survey data from over 900 sites, and geospatial aquaculture suitability assessments. The workshop equipped students and faculty with practical skills to analyse reservoir water dynamics, multiple-use functions, and aquaculture potential. It also generated valuable feedback and identified opportunities for integrating the dashboard into research, teaching, extension services, and evidence-based planning to support sustainable aquaculture and water resource management in northern Ghana. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods

Landscape Approaches for Improved Land and Water Resources Management: Training of Trainers

2026-09-09T01:05:54Z

dc.title: Landscape Approaches for Improved Land and Water Resources Management: Training of Trainers dc.contributor.author: Mekuria, Wolde; Girma, Rediet; Haileslassie, Amare; Sahle, Kefyalew

Closing the Measurement Gap: The Water Security for Health and Livelihoods (WaSHeL) Indicator for Standardizing the Integrated Measurement of Household Water Security

2026-09-10T03:31:37Z

dc.title: Closing the Measurement Gap: The Water Security for Health and Livelihoods (WaSHeL) Indicator for Standardizing the Integrated Measurement of Household Water Security dc.contributor.author: Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Salmawobil, Joseph; Zane, Giulia dcterms.abstract: While water insecurity is multifaceted, current indicators fail to capture all dimensions of water on welfare and livelihoods. Existing experiential scales primarily focus on some dimensions, often domestic water access, while productive uses, governance, climate risks, and adaptation responses remain underrepresented. The Water Security for Health and Livelihoods (WaSHeL) indicator closes this critical measurement gap. This concise 13-item experiential instrument integrates domestic and productive water insecurity, social consequences, governance exclusion, adaptation strategies, and climatic uncertainty. Grounded in an eight-dimension water security framework drawing on established definitions, WaSHeL captures the systemic and structural dimensions that shape household water security. Designed for rapid implementation with binary responses and a 12-month recall period consistent with the Food Insecurity Experience Scale framework, WaSHeL has been embedded in the 2025 Ghana Living Standards Survey as the first nationally representative experiential measure of integrated household water security. Its sub-index structure supports policy targeting, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and impact assessment across water, agriculture, and climate programs. The instrument is available for integration into household surveys across country and program contexts, and researchers, national statistics officers, and program evaluators are invited to contact the authors to adopt the module. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods; Sustainable Farming

Historical Trends and Future Changes in Hydroclimate Extremes Using CMIP6 and SWAT + in the Awash Basin and Mojo Catchment, Ethiopia

2026-09-07T10:59:23Z

dc.title: Historical Trends and Future Changes in Hydroclimate Extremes Using CMIP6 and SWAT + in the Awash Basin and Mojo Catchment, Ethiopia dc.contributor.author: Berhanu, Daniel; Alamirew, Tena; Haileslassie, Amare; Lemann, Tatenda; Hurni, Hans; Anteneh, Yilikal; Tarkegn, Temesgen Gashaw; Gebrehiwot, Solomon dcterms.abstract: The Awash basin in Ethiopia faces severe water insecurity driven by high climate variability, recurrent droughts and floods, and rising water demand—conditions projected to intensify under climate change. This study examines historical (1981–2010) and future (2020s, 2050s, 2080s) hydroclimatic changes under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, focusing on precipitation, temperature, streamflow, drought, and flood dynamics, with detailed analysis for the Mojo catchment. Outputs from seven top-performing CMIP6 GCMs were bias-corrected using quantile mapping for precipitation and variance scaling for temperature. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool Plus (SWAT+) hydrological model is used to simulate streamflow across Mojo catchment in Awash basin. Results reveal strong spatial contrasts in precipitation trends. During March–May (MAM), the Upper Awash basin shows minimal PRCPTOT change (< 2 mm), slight increases in CDD, and declines in wet-day frequency and extreme rainfall. The Middle Awash basin exhibits reduced PRCPTOT and CWD but higher CDD (+ 1–4 days), while the Lower Awash basin shows marked increases in CDD and 2023decreases in CWD. In June–September (JAS), PRCPTOT rises in the Upper basin (+ 12 mm) but declines in the Middle (− 24 mm) and Lower basins. Future projections indicate increased MAM rainfall in the Upper and Lower basins (up to + 50% in Afar lowlands) but declines in the Middle basin. CWD is projected to rise across the basin, while extreme rainfall (R99pTOT, Rx5day) intensifies in the Upper basin (+ 70% by the 2080s). In the Mojo catchment, streamflow decreases by 80–100% in MAM but increases up to 70% in July–August. Projected temperature rises (+ 2.0 °C max, + 1.9 °C min), along with higher flood frequency (+ 48%) and drought severity (+ 36%), highlight the urgent need for climate-resilient integrated water resource management in the Awash basin. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Scaling for Impact

Gender-Responsive Solar Energy for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: Lessons in Productive Use from Mandla District, India

2026-09-08T01:01:02Z

dc.title: Gender-Responsive Solar Energy for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: Lessons in Productive Use from Mandla District, India dc.contributor.author: Banerjee, Anurag; Agarwal, Tripti; Varshney, Deepak; Singh, Saurabh; Bhaduri, Tanmoy; Ravindranath, Darshini; Kumar, Gopal dcterms.abstract: Solar irrigation can do more than reduce farmers’ dependence on diesel and improve access to water. This publication presents evidence from two tribal villages in India —Chimkatola and Kevlari in Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh—where IWMI and PRADAN tested a gender-responsive approach that combines solar lift irrigation, women-led Water User Associations (WUAs), diversified agriculture and productive use of surplus solar energy through community rice milling. Each 6.75 kWp solar irrigation system generates an estimated 8,457 kWh of electricity annually, supporting irrigation across multiple hectares while reducing reliance on costly and unreliable energy sources. Women hold all seats in the pilot’s WUAs, enabling them to participate in irrigation management, fee collection and decision-making. The pilot also demonstrates how surplus solar energy can support rural enterprises and generate additional livelihood benefits. The publication identifies key lessons for scaling: solar irrigation should be designed as a multi-use community energy asset rather than a standalone irrigation technology; women-led institutions should be strengthened; productive-use enterprises require appropriate technical design, finance, training and market linkages; and blended financing can improve financial viability. The findings offer practical recommendations for governments, financial institutions, development partners and research organizations seeking to integrate water, energy, food and livelihood objectives in solar irrigation programmes. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Multifunctional Landscapes

Empowering Farmers through a Better Understanding of the Power Dynamics That Shape the Formation of Water User Associations

2026-09-08T01:01:58Z

dc.title: Empowering Farmers through a Better Understanding of the Power Dynamics That Shape the Formation of Water User Associations dc.contributor.author: Suhardiman, Diana; de Silva, Sanjiv

Why India’s Groundwater Future Is Being Decided Right Now

2026-09-04T08:55:38Z

dc.title: Why India’s Groundwater Future Is Being Decided Right Now dc.contributor.author: Bhaduri, Tanmoy; Alam, Mohammad Faiz cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

Wetland Loss, Impervious Surface Expansion, and Urban Thermal Stress: A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Land Use Change and Urban Thermal Patterns in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

2026-09-05T01:08:48Z

dc.title: Wetland Loss, Impervious Surface Expansion, and Urban Thermal Stress: A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Land Use Change and Urban Thermal Patterns in Colombo District, Sri Lanka dc.contributor.author: Gunatilake, Upani; Weerasinghe, Vithanage P. A.; Wickramaratne, Chaturangi dcterms.abstract: Rapid urbanization in tropical Asia has fundamentally transformed land use–land cover while intensifying urban thermal stress, yet the relationship between land cover change and thermal conditions is frequently assumed to be spatially uniform. This study challenges that assumption by demonstrating that land cover–thermal relationships in Colombo District, Sri Lanka, are highly spatially and temporally heterogeneous, with statistically significant associations detected in only 17–47% of the study area in any given year, underscoring that context, not land cover type alone, governs thermal outcomes. Using multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery, LULC maps were derived, and the urban heat island effect (UHIE) and urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI) were calculated for seven time periods (1989, 1996, 2002, 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024). Geographically weighted regression (GWR) was applied to model local relationships between LULC classes, namely wetland vegetation, water bodies, impervious surfaces, and other pervious surfaces, and thermal indices across a 500 m spatial grid, revealing a 74% loss in wetland vegetation and a 326% increase in impervious surfaces over the study period. Water bodies exhibited spatially variable cooling effects relative to wetland vegetation, most pronounced in eastern regions during earlier periods, while impervious surfaces showed consistent, spatially persistent warming effects concentrated in western and southern urban cores. By coupling GWR with a 35-year multi-sensor time series, this study provides a spatially explicit, longitudinal account of how land cover–thermal relationships evolve as tropical urbanization intensifies, offering an evidence base for spatially targeted rather than uniform climate adaptation planning in rapidly urbanizing tropical cities.

Why water matters for Africa's food systems: A Call to Action for irrigation investment

2026-09-03T01:09:23Z

dc.title: Why water matters for Africa's food systems: A Call to Action for irrigation investment dc.contributor.author: Cofie, Olufunke O.; Ringler, Claudia; Agbonlahor, Mure; Amede, Tilahun; Czajkowski, Mikayla; Kabuti, Vincent; Kimotho, Ephantus; Smith, Mark dcterms.abstract: Less than 5 percent of Africa's cultivated land is reported to be irrigated, leaving farmers, livelihoods, and economies exposed to erratic rainfall, drought, floods and associated economic shocks. Irrigation is key to agricultural intensification, enabling year-round production, allows farmers to grow higher-value, nutrient-dense crops, creates jobs and wealth and strengthens food supply chains and markets. Irrigation is, moreover, an enabler of other agricultural inputs, ensuring that productivity-increasing inputs and technologies don’t go to waste as a result of dry spells but instead generate yields and farmer incomes. Africa's irrigation potential is considerable: estimates point to roughly 33 million hectares suitable for farmer-led groundwater irrigation and 6 million hectares for additional surface water irrigation. But realizing this potential sustainably means aligning national investment decisions with underlying basin and aquifer conditions; agro-ecological zones; competing water demands (such as for nature, households, and industry); and infrastructure and technology possibilities. The African Union’s Framework for irrigation development and agricultural water management (IDAWM) describes key underlying conditions for investment and scaling complementary irrigation development pathways. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations; Scaling for Impact

Workshop Report: Towards Sustaining Healthy Flows and Functions in the Omo-Gibe Basin

2026-09-02T01:06:18Z

dc.title: Workshop Report: Towards Sustaining Healthy Flows and Functions in the Omo-Gibe Basin dc.contributor.author: Simaika, John; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru dcterms.abstract: On May 14, 2026, a workshop brought together experts and stakeholders to talk about "environmental flows" — the idea that rivers need a certain amount and pattern of water flowing through them to stay healthy and keep supporting the people, farms, and ecosystems that depend on them. This event was part of a larger international effort (through IWMI and the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Program) to help rivers around the world stay resilient. The focus was the Omo-Gibe River Basin in Ethiopia, an area facing several challenges at once: new dams and hydropower plants, expanding irrigation for farming, limited data on water conditions, unpredictable weather patterns, and the difficulty of getting different organizations to coordinate their efforts. The basin also matters beyond its own borders, since its waters flow onward and affect communities and countries downstream. Twenty-seven participants attended, coming from backgrounds in water management, hydrology, environmental science, universities, and community organizations. The goal was to get everyone on the same page about what environmental flows are and why they matter for managing this basin sustainably. Experts gave presentations explaining the basic concepts, the tools and methods used to measure and plan for environmental flows, an existing framework from the Nile Basin Initiative, and background on how water moves through the Omo-Gibe system specifically. Participants then worked together in small groups to dig into the basin's biggest problems: unpredictable water levels, a lack of monitoring data, multiple dams built in sequence along the river, growing irrigation demands, land degradation in the watershed, communities downstream who rely on the river, and the cross-border effects of any changes. These discussions turned big-picture ideas into practical, basin-specific priorities — such as what data is available, who needs to be involved, how the information could be used, how decisions get made, what new data and skills are needed, which stretches of river could serve as test cases, and how to measure progress. By the end, the workshop had laid the groundwork for future efforts — including deeper assessments of the river's environmental flow needs, continued engagement with stakeholders, and using this evidence to inform planning and an upcoming "digital twin" (a computer model) of the basin. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Multifunctional Landscapes

Unlocking local knowledge production for global water systems analysis

2026-09-03T09:08:45Z

dc.title: Unlocking local knowledge production for global water systems analysis dc.contributor.author: Buytaert, Wouter; Tilahun, Seifu A.; Paschalis, Athanasios; Bonetti, Sara; Vishwakarma, Bramha; Crespo, Patricio; Drenkhan, Fabian; Agyei-Mensah, Samuel; Ochoa-Tocachi, Boris; Mijic, Ana; Arcucci, Rossella; Moseley, Ben; Howard, Ben dcterms.abstract: Global freshwater systems are critically threatened by environmental change and overexploitation, stressing the need for novel, transformative solutions. As social-hydrological systems are diverse and complex, water-related risks and decision-making needs are often strongly embedded in a locally specific context. Therefore, such solutions need to be informed by solid scientific evidence while remaining tailored to local realities, knowledge, and practices. However, the current generation of global water system models struggles to produce evidence that is accurate, tailored, and actionable at the local scale. Here we outline an approach to support local knowledge co-production and its integration with existing and emerging data sources in global water system models. We focus on three knowledge sources that are currently underrepresented in global modelling approaches: non-statutory monitoring, citizen observations, and local knowledge. We show how data science methods such as semantic data models, distributed workflows, and machine learning can be leveraged to develop novel knowledge integration pipelines. These pipelines explicitly represent data provenance and track epistemic and aleatoric uncertainties across heterogeneous data sources. When combined with flexible modelling frameworks, this approach provides a blueprint for next generation simulation systems that bridge global modelling and local decision-making. Such systems enable the identification, prioritization, and targeted reduction of local knowledge gaps, thereby enhancing the relevance and legitimacy of global water assessments for regional and community-level action.

Scaling Climate-Resilient Irrigation: Partnership Alignment, Coordinated Pathways, and Learning in Nigeria

2026-09-14T11:19:33Z

dc.title: Scaling Climate-Resilient Irrigation: Partnership Alignment, Coordinated Pathways, and Learning in Nigeria dc.contributor.author: Oluwaseun, Ojeleye Adebayo; Oke, Adebayo; Balana, Bedru; Kirui, Oliver K.; Tilahun, Seifu A.; Owolabi, Mubaraq Adetunji; Calvin, Ojeleye dcterms.abstract: The Scaling Climate-Resilient Irrigation Workshop, held in Abuja on March 24, 2026, provided a strategic pathway to address Nigeria’s irrigation deficit and strengthen year-round agricultural production. Under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) Program, IWMI and IFPRI presented a three-year roadmap for 2026–2028 to accelerate the adoption of solar-based irrigation solutions, particularly through farmer-led irrigation development. The program targets 120,000–150,000 smallholder farmers across priority northern states, marking a shift from isolated pilot interventions to coordinated, large-scale deployment. A central message from a workshop on Scaling Resilient Irrigation in Nigeria was that scaling solar irrigation requires more than technology alone; it depends on an integrated ecosystem that connects farmers, finance, technology providers, policymakers, and institutions. Stakeholders identified weak institutional coordination as a major constraint, despite the availability of relevant technologies, programs, and financing opportunities. Financial institutions emphasized that organizing farmers into clusters and cooperatives is essential for reducing investment risk and improving access to affordable finance. Drawing on lessons from India’s large-scale solar irrigation experience, participants advocated a coordinated demand–finance–technology–linkage approach, supported by smart subsidies, tariff waivers, or affordable credit. The workshop concluded with commitments to strengthen coordination, digital extension services, localized financing models, and partnerships to establish a sustainable national system for climate-resilient irrigation. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Scaling for Impact

What is the Evidence on the Implementation of Intersectoral Freshwater-Wastewater Swaps in the World?: A Systematic Map Protocol

2026-09-02T05:05:29Z

dc.title: What is the Evidence on the Implementation of Intersectoral Freshwater-Wastewater Swaps in the World?: A Systematic Map Protocol dc.contributor.author: El-Shafai, Saber A.; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Orabi, Mohamed O.; Livoreil, Barbara; Valero Gutierrez del Olmo, Enrique; Eales, Jacqualyn dcterms.abstract: Water scarcity is rising due to population growth, economic expansion, and climate change (Schewe et al., 2014; Gosling and Arnell, 2016; Liu et al., 2017; Lahham et al., 2022; Eldabbagh and Nicol, 2025). This shortage sparks intense sectoral competition, worsened by increasing pollution (van Vliet et al., 2021). Three main strategies address this gap: reducing demand through efficiency and productivity, generating "new" water (through desalination or wastewater treatment), and realigning resources through reallocation. (Qadir et al., 2007; World Bank 2018; He et al 2021; Ricart et al 2021; Mateo-Sagasta et al., 2022; Velpuri et al 2023). A promising but understudied approach is the Freshwater-Wastewater Swap (FWS). This mechanism involves an intersectoral arrangement in which a freshwater donor sector reallocates part of its freshwater to other sectors or to the environment in exchange for a non-conventional water source as a substitute. This arrangement may be formal (contractual, regulated) or informal (customary, negotiated). Intersectoral FWS can involve any combination of the following six water-use sectors: (1) Agricultural; (2) Municipal/urban; (3) Industrial; (4) Cooling; (5) Recreational; and (6) Environmental. Any sector can act as freshwater donor, alternative water supplier, or freshwater recipient. Although some existed specific cases of FWS have been partially assessed (Danso et al 2018, Drechsel et al 2018, Heinz et al 2011.), there is no global synthesis describing what types, how many and where these exchanges have been implemented and documented. Such information is essential to understand external factors (e.g., policies, institutions, economic incentives, perceptions) and internal factors (e.g., quantity and quality of water exchanged, infrastructure, technologies) that made the FWS possible and effective. This study aims to map global cases of the FWS and extract lessons that can support decisions in countries which intend to promote this approach, such as Jordan (Tawfik et al 2023).

Feuille de Route Stratégique Régionale: Afrique de l'Ouest et du Centre 2024–2030

2026-09-01T01:01:53Z

dc.title: Feuille de Route Stratégique Régionale: Afrique de l'Ouest et du Centre 2024–2030 dc.contributor.author: International Water Management Institute dcterms.abstract: La feuille de route stratégique régionale de l’IWMI pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre (2024-2030) propose un cadre stratégique visant à promouvoir la sécurité de l’eau, la résilience climatique, l’agriculture durable et un développement économique équitable en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre. Cette feuille de route s’appuie sur la solide expérience de l’IWMI dans les domaines du développement de l’irrigation, de la gestion inclusive des paysages, de la comptabilité numérique de l’eau, des innovations en économie circulaire, de l’aquaculture menée par les jeunes et de la gouvernance de l’eau, et répond aux défis croissants auxquels la région est confrontée, notamment le changement climatique, la pénurie d’eau, la dégradation de l’environnement, l’urbanisation rapide et l’insécurité alimentaire. La feuille de route se concentre sur six priorités stratégiques : développer des systèmes agroalimentaires résilients ; atténuer les risques de sécheresse et d’inondation ; favoriser les innovations en matière d’économie circulaire de l’eau et de l’alimentation ; utiliser l’eau pour renforcer la résilience dans les situations fragiles et touchées par des conflits ; renforcer l’équité de genre dans la gestion des ressources en eau ; et faciliter des décisions fondées sur des données probantes concernant les infrastructures et l’allocation de l’eau. Ces priorités seront mises en œuvre grâce à une recherche intégrée, à l’innovation, à l’engagement politique, aux technologies numériques et aux partenariats stratégiques. La mise en œuvre ciblera des pays et bassins versants prioritaires et impliquera une collaboration avec les gouvernements, les institutions régionales, les organismes de recherche, les partenaires de développement et le secteur privé. La feuille de route vise à transformer les connaissances scientifiques en solutions pratiques afin d’améliorer les moyens de subsistance, de renforcer la résilience climatique et la gouvernance de l’eau, et de promouvoir un développement durable et inclusif en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre à l’horizon 2030.

Unlocking Local Knowledge Production for Global Water Reanalysis: Co-Creation Workshop Report for Case of Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia

2026-08-31T09:55:06Z

dc.title: Unlocking Local Knowledge Production for Global Water Reanalysis: Co-Creation Workshop Report for Case of Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia dc.contributor.author: Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Bekele, Tilaye Worku; Seifu, Eden; Kebede, Getahun; Alemu, Abel Negussie; Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Tilahun, Seifu A. dcterms.abstract: This workshop report documents a co-creation workshop held on 28 April 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of the project "Unlocking local knowledge production for global water reanalysis," implemented by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in partnership with Imperial College London and funded by Schmidt Sciences. The workshop focused on the Akaki catchment, one of three pilot sites (Ethiopia, Ghana and Laos), which was selected for its high water risk, strategic importance as a headwater of the Awash River, and existing citizen science platform. Bringing together participants from government agencies (Ministry of Water and Energy, AAWASA, Ethiopian Space and Geospatial Institute, Fire and Disaster Risk Management Commission, Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopian Meteorology Institute, Engineering Corporation), universities, NGOs (Water Witness International, Blue Deal, Vitens), and community representatives, the workshop pursued four objectives: building a common understanding of non-conventional data in global water reanalysis; inventorying local knowledge, practices and non-conventional datasets relevant to the Akaki water system; characterizing the identified datasets and their owners; and gathering stakeholder feedback on data gaps. Through opening presentations, plenary discussion, and four thematic breakout groups (water resources, water supply and sewerage, data and risk, and water quality), participants developed a preliminary inventory of local knowledge and community practices influencing hydrology, flooding, land use and water quality, and listed the non-conventional data sources available in the catchment. Outputs were harmonized across groups and ranked by impact. Key recommendations include digitizing paper-based records, standardizing formats, centralizing scattered data, extending citizen science monitoring, and engaging data holders through structured surveys to integrate these sources into the global water reanalysis framework over the project's five-year duration.

Scaling Water and Soil Salinity Solutions in Egypt’s Nile Delta: Governance, Knowledge, Markets, and Finance in Kafr El-Sheikh

2026-08-31T10:20:16Z

dc.title: Scaling Water and Soil Salinity Solutions in Egypt’s Nile Delta: Governance, Knowledge, Markets, and Finance in Kafr El-Sheikh dc.contributor.author: Eldabbagh, Fayrouz; Nassar, Atef dcterms.abstract: In the field of Kafr El-sheikh, at the tail end of Egypt's Nile system, salinity has become an everyday reality that farmers experience in their soils, drainage canals, and groundwater. Many technical solutions are being developed by different research institutions such as gypsum treatment, leaching techniques, salt-tolerant varieties, and reuse. This report, produced under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program, marks a step change; it argues that technical solutions are abundant, but the enabling environment for their scaling and adoption remains the missing piece. Therefore, this report examines six dimensions of the conditions behind hindering or enabling the wider scaling of contextually relevant technical solutions to the fields. These conditions lie in cross-sectoral coordination, policy alignment, market incentives, financial schemes, knowledge expansion, tenure security, and social norms and trust. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Scaling for Impact

Co-Creation Workshop on Inclusive Business Models for Cage Aquaculture in Small Reservoirs – Bolgatanga, Ghana

2026-08-31T09:32:22Z

dc.title: Co-Creation Workshop on Inclusive Business Models for Cage Aquaculture in Small Reservoirs – Bolgatanga, Ghana dc.contributor.author: Salmawobil, Joseph; Appiah, Sarah; Zane, Giulia dcterms.abstract: A co-creation workshop held by IWMI in Bolgatanga on 9 June 2026, as part of the Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) Science Program, brought together 44 stakeholders—including farmers, investors, hatchery operators, financiers, and regulators—to review IWMI’s cage aquaculture pilots in small reservoirs and co-design investment models for scaling up the approach in Ghana’s Upper East Region. After reviewing results and lessons from pilots conducted in the North East Region by IWMI, CSIR-Water Research Institute, and the Fisheries Commission of Ghana, participants compared four potential business models: community–private partnerships; full investor ownership with community members hired as labor; contract farming; and passive investment. They discussed the feasibility, opportunities, and challenges of each model in the Upper East context. The workshop revealed strong interest in investing in aquaculture in small reservoirs. Seventy-nine percent of participants indicated that they would be willing to invest their own resources to finance, at least partly, an aquaculture project. As a next step, IWMI and CSIR-Water Research Institute will provide technical assistance to potential investors, beginning with assessments of the suitability of small reservoirs where they may be interested in investing. The aim is to support the development of one or two pilot aquaculture businesses in 2026, generating practical lessons for future scaling. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods

Revitalizing Community and Household Irrigation in Ethiopia: Policy Considerations for Improved Performance

2026-08-25T01:05:23Z

dc.title: Revitalizing Community and Household Irrigation in Ethiopia: Policy Considerations for Improved Performance dc.contributor.author: Ayana, Mekonen; Tiruneh, Yibeltal; Kedir, Yusuf; Abegaz, Fentaw; Mohammed, Mulugeta; Tesfaye, Henok; Awol, Elisa; Haileslassie, Amare dcterms.abstract: This policy brief is the result of concerted efforts by the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Regional Research Systems, Regional Bureaus of Agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture, IWMI, and members of the Agricultural Water Management Task Force coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture. Despite continued expansion of irrigation in Ethiopia, many existing community- and household-managed schemes underperform, limiting the benefits of irrigation investments. Evidence from previous IWMI/CGIAR research and a nationwide EIAR assessment of 75 community-managed and 39 household-managed schemes across diverse agroecological zones and river basins provides the evidence base for this policy brief. The findings highlight the need to balance further expansion of irrigated areas with improving the performance and sustainability of existing schemes. Priority actions include establishing a national irrigation performance monitoring and benchmarking system; targeting rehabilitation and modernization based on scheme performance and importance; strengthening operation and maintenance through improved service delivery and partnerships with youth enterprises and private providers; strengthening Water User Associations and irrigation-specific technical support; and scaling appropriate technologies, including solar-powered irrigation, efficient irrigation systems, water-control and measurement devices, and digital decision-support tools. Together, these measures can increase agricultural productivity and water-use efficiency while making irrigation services more reliable, sustainable, and inclusive. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Scaling for Impact

Policy Coherence for Water Security in the Karamoja–Turkana Complex Between Uganda and Kenya: Aligning Institutions, Incentives, and Investments for a Changing Drylands Region

2026-08-22T01:01:26Z

dc.title: Policy Coherence for Water Security in the Karamoja–Turkana Complex Between Uganda and Kenya: Aligning Institutions, Incentives, and Investments for a Changing Drylands Region dc.contributor.author: Nicol, Alan; Abalo, Jackie Akot; Nakiru, Lucky Sarafina; Thuo, Simon

Policy Coherence for Water Security in the Karamoja–Turkana Complex between Uganda and Kenya: Aligning Institutions, Incentives, and Investments for a Changing Drylands Region

2026-08-22T01:05:57Z

dc.title: Policy Coherence for Water Security in the Karamoja–Turkana Complex between Uganda and Kenya: Aligning Institutions, Incentives, and Investments for a Changing Drylands Region dc.contributor.author: Nicol, Alan; Abalo, Jackie Akot; Nakiru, Lucky Sarafina; Thuo, Simon

Evidence Charts the Future of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation

2026-08-22T01:10:40Z

dc.title: Evidence Charts the Future of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation dc.contributor.author: Boon, Philip J.; Ridley, Francesca A.; Adhya, Tiasa; Baigún, Claudio; Böhm, Monika; Harrison, Ian; Jähnig, Sonja C.; Quintana, Yasmín; Simaika, John dcterms.abstract: Evidence is essential for promoting freshwater conservation and selecting appropriate conservation actions. This article examines the importance of evidence for freshwater conservation, available sources, how evidence is used, geographical coverage, and the challenges in obtaining evidence. Two databases containing published evidence, namely, Conservation Evidence (CE) and the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE), were systematically searched and evaluated. Evidence in CE is geographically skewed, with most studies coming from North America and Europe. The IUCN Red List requires evidence to assign species to threat categories, but is limited in its ability to track conservation success. IUCN Green Status can be used to assess the impact of conservation actions on species recovery, but suffers from some of the limitations of Red List assessments. Evidence is also required to select freshwater areas for protection, and for monitoring their condition over time, accompanied by an increasing recognition of the value of using evidence from Indigenous communities to support international agreements. Persistent barriers to the use of evidence for promoting freshwater conservation include weak baselines, short monitoring horizons, mismatched spatial scales, reliance on subjective opinion when analysing evidence, and under-reporting of failures. These and other barriers are addressed in several concluding recommendations. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Multifunctional Landscapes

Trees for Halaba’s Land Restoration, Livelihoods and Legacy

2026-08-20T10:43:49Z

dc.title: Trees for Halaba’s Land Restoration, Livelihoods and Legacy dc.contributor.author: Wamba, Elizabeth; Moges, Awdenegest; Mekuria, Wolde

Diagnosing National and Sub -National Climate Finance in Nepal

2026-08-21T01:06:18Z

dc.title: Diagnosing National and Sub -National Climate Finance in Nepal dc.contributor.author: Sapkota, Regan; Nepal, Santosh; Shrestha, Shisher; Karki, Darshan

Multi-Scale Assessment of Irrigation Water Use and Supply in the Amibara Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia Using Landsat-Derived Evapotranspiration and Field Data

2026-08-25T01:10:35Z

dc.title: Multi-Scale Assessment of Irrigation Water Use and Supply in the Amibara Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia Using Landsat-Derived Evapotranspiration and Field Data dc.contributor.author: Mekonnen, Kirubel; Tadesse, Mulugeta; Velpuri, Naga Manohar; Abdella, Mohammed; Dessalegn, Mengistu; Leh, Mansoor; Akpoti, Komlavi; Owusu, Afua; Likessa, Ashenafi; Seid, Abdulkarim dcterms.abstract: Accurate estimation of irrigation water use and supply is essential for effective irrigation management, yet irrigation withdrawals remain largely unmetered and unreported in many schemes. This study applied a remote sensing–based approach to quantify irrigation water use and supply in the Amibara Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia. The irrigation component of crop evapotranspiration (Blue ET) was partitioned from a high-resolution Landsat-based ETa product using the Water Accounting Plus (WA+) framework. Blue ET estimates were then integrated with irrigation efficiency parameters to derive remote sensing–based irrigation supply (RbIS) at block, canal and scheme scales. Crop type maps for 2010 and 2024 and a digitized irrigation layout provided the spatial basis for assessing irrigation performance using relative evapotranspiration (RET) and relative irrigation supply (RIS) metrics. Crop mapping revealed a substantial decline in the gravity-fed irrigated area from 9941 ha in 2010 to 4532 ha in 2024. RbIS showed reasonable agreement with reported irrigation supply in 2010 (R² = 0.58) and measured supply in 2024 (R² = 0.77), although supply was consistently underestimated. The extent of irrigation water deficits increased between 2010 and 2024, with the proportion of cotton blocks experiencing water deficits rising from 40% to 67%. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions corroborated the observed irrigation water deficits in 2024, supporting the remote sensing–based assessment. Moreover, RET and RIS revealed spatial variability in irrigation performance across irrigation canals, suggesting potential under and over-supply of irrigation. Overall, the proposed approach provides a scalable framework for assessing irrigation water use and supply in data-scarce irrigation schemes.

Solar Irrigation Technology Is Ready to Scale, but Is the System?

2026-08-20T05:35:49Z

dc.title: Solar Irrigation Technology Is Ready to Scale, but Is the System? dc.contributor.author: Tafesse, Yonas; Admasu, Zeleke Belay; Oke, Adebayo; Wamba, Elizabeth

IWMI in Central Asia - fact sheet

2026-08-21T01:02:22Z

dc.title: IWMI in Central Asia - fact sheet dc.contributor.author: International Water Management Institute

Impacts of Landscape Restoration and Long-Term Land Use Change on Ecosystem Services: Evidence from a Case Study in Ethiopia

2026-08-20T14:11:16Z

dc.title: Impacts of Landscape Restoration and Long-Term Land Use Change on Ecosystem Services: Evidence from a Case Study in Ethiopia dc.contributor.author: Mokria, Mulugeta; Hagazi, Niguse; Hailemariam, Gebrehiwot; Abiyu, Abrham; Mekuria, Wolde; Kassa, Habtemariam; Tadele, Malefia; Gedle, Assefa; Minang, Peter dcterms.abstract: Land degradation threatens food security, water resources, and biodiversity by eroding soil health and productivity. In Ethiopia, restoration initiatives like exclosures are widely implemented, yet most studies fail to integrate plot-level ecological evidence with landscape-scale land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics. Furthermore, few studies combine these biophysical trends with long-term economic valuation of ecosystem services (ES) and local knowledge to quantify ES trade-offs. Using the Sire-Dodota district of Ethiopia, as a case study, we (i) evaluated the localized ecological performances of communal exclosures relative to LULC-driven ecosystem service (ES) changes, (ii) quantified spatial and temporal (22 years) LULC impacts on ecosystem service values (ESVs), and (iii) assessed community perceptions of restoration outcomes. We combined vegetation inventories, spatial analysis, household surveys, focus group discussions, and value transfer methods across plot and landscape scales. Our results reveal a clear socio-ecological paradox across scales. At the plot-scale, community-managed exclosures significantly enhanced biomass accumulation and biodiversity, establishing a robust empirical baseline for ecological recovery. At the landscape scale, however, LULC-based ESVs increased over 22 years, driven by gains of US$80.6 million from agricultural lands and US$1.3 million from forest lands, alongside a US$3.4 million decline in shrubland ESVs. These increases are potential values rather than realized ecosystem service flows, masking systemic losses in regulating and supporting services as short-term agricultural expansion dominates valuation outcomes. Social data from 393 households strongly corroborate these patterns. While communities consistently recognized localized ecological recovery, they favored agroforestry integration over static exclosures to offset high opportunity costs of restricted access. Together, these findings caution against reliance on uncontextualized macro-scale economic indicators and underscore the need for integrated, multifunctional landscape strategies that align ecological recovery with livelihood needs. We, therefore, recommend establishing a national, open-access ESV meta-database linked to Ethiopia's Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, alongside future multi-decadal monitoring of below-ground carbon and soil biodiversity, and the cost-benefit performance of blended finance restoration models. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Multifunctional Landscapes

How South–South Learning Can Shape a Just Water Future

2026-08-19T10:41:52Z

dc.title: How South–South Learning Can Shape a Just Water Future dc.contributor.author: Bhaduri, Tanmoy; Wamba, Elizabeth; Samarasekara, Vidhisha

সু#রবেনর (ছাট ও মাঝাির পুক2ের (দশীয়(পানা ও (ছাট মাছ চােষর 9িশ:ণ সহািয়কা

2026-08-20T01:11:18Z

dc.title: সু#রবেনর (ছাট ও মাঝাির পুক2ের (দশীয়(পানা ও (ছাট মাছ চােষর 9িশ:ণ সহািয়কা dc.contributor.author: Mondal, Anit; Wanasinghe, W. W. M. Apsara P. K.; Roy, Aparna; Sathiskumar, Abinaya; Karnatak, Gunjan; Thangjam, Nirupada; Samanta, Srikanta; Maity, Suman Kumar; Roy, Amitava; Taron, Avinandan dcterms.abstract: This training manual provides practical guidance for farmers on environmentally sustainable and economically viable pond-based fish farming, with a particular focus on integrating Small Indigenous Species (SIS) with carp polyculture. It explains the nutritional importance of SIS as a rich source of essential micronutrients and highlights their role in improving household food and nutrition security. The manual introduces the characteristics of commonly cultured SIS, the rationale for integrated fish farming, and the different types of ponds suitable for aquaculture. It presents step-by-step instructions on pond preparation, water quality management, fertilization, liming, natural food production, and biosecurity measures. Farmers are also guided on species selection, stocking density, fingerling transportation and stocking methods, feed and nutrient management, growth monitoring, pond maintenance, disease prevention and control, and flood protection. The manual concludes with recommendations on harvesting techniques and scheduling to maximize productivity and profitability. Designed as a practical resource, it aims to strengthen farmers' technical knowledge and promote sustainable aquaculture practices that enhance fish production, improve nutrition, diversify livelihoods, and increase resilience while minimizing environmental impacts. cg.contributor.initiative: One Health cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods

Data-Driven Decisions to Boost Women-Led Livestock Entrepreneurship in Assam

2026-08-14T06:10:27Z

dc.title: Data-Driven Decisions to Boost Women-Led Livestock Entrepreneurship in Assam dc.contributor.author: Bhaduri, Tanmoy

How AI Helped Capture Community Feedback on Water Systems

2026-08-14T04:56:25Z

dc.title: How AI Helped Capture Community Feedback on Water Systems dc.contributor.author: Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Nicol, Alan; Padhi, Kumar Ranjan; Iyer, Ruhil cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

What Community Water Leaders Had to Say about Why They Continue to Volunteer

2026-08-14T04:06:45Z

dc.title: What Community Water Leaders Had to Say about Why They Continue to Volunteer dc.contributor.author: Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Nicol, Alan; Papnoi, Pankaj; Kettle, Stewart cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

Why Water Governance Needs Better Community Feedback

2026-08-13T10:49:17Z

dc.title: Why Water Governance Needs Better Community Feedback dc.contributor.author: Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Nicol, Alan; Kettle, Stewart cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

Spatio-Temporal Analysis to Support Modelling and Mitigation of Anthropogenic Sand and Dust Storm Sources in Southern Iraq

2026-08-20T05:46:54Z

dc.title: Spatio-Temporal Analysis to Support Modelling and Mitigation of Anthropogenic Sand and Dust Storm Sources in Southern Iraq dc.contributor.author: Khalifa, Muhammad; Mekonnen, Kirubel; McTough, Mitchell; Matheswaran, Karthikeyan; Munir, Sarfraz; Velpuri, Naga Manohar; Ruckstuhl, Sandra dcterms.abstract: This technical report presents a spatio-temporal assessment of anthropogenic sand and dust storm sources across Al-Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Al-Qadisiyah governorates in southern Iraq. Using remote sensing, spatial analysis, and Water Accounting Plus (WA+), the assessment integrates water-accounting indicators with environmental and land-surface variables—including soil moisture, wind speed, bare-land cover, vegetation productivity, soil characteristics, drought, and water availability—to identify and characterize potential anthropogenic sand and dust storm source areas. Al-Muthanna emerges as the most extensive high-risk source area, with more than 60% of its land characterized by low soil moisture and high bare-soil exposure. In Dhi Qar and Al-Qadisiyah, hotspots occur within or near agricultural areas, indicating possible links to land abandonment and unsustainable cultivation. Persistent water deficits, vegetation loss, erodible soils and recurrent summer drought reinforce land degradation and dust generation. The report identifies opportunities for resilient nature-based water solutions, including soil-moisture conservation, vegetation restoration, improved irrigation and land management, rainwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge. It recommends field validation, higher-resolution agricultural and hydrological data, and governorate-specific planning to guide targeted mitigation and landscape restoration.

The Drought Action Catalyst: A Country Platform for Anticipatory, Financed, Government-led Drought Resilience

2026-08-15T01:10:10Z

dc.title: The Drought Action Catalyst: A Country Platform for Anticipatory, Financed, Government-led Drought Resilience dc.contributor.author: Amarnath, Giriraj; Schmitter, Petra S.; Fakhruddin, Bapon; Agrawal, Ashish; Ravindranath, Darshini; Hafeez, Mohsin dcterms.abstract: Drought is a systemic economic risk, costing an estimated USD 307 billion annually and projected to affect 75% of the world's population by 2050—yet 88% of weather-related disaster finance still arrives after the damage is done, even though every dollar invested proactively can generate returns up to tenfold. This imbalance is not primarily a funding-volume problem but a market-formation failure: what most drought-prone countries lack is a pipeline of investable, governable propositions backed by triggers, risk profiles, and verification mechanisms that finance can commit against. The Drought Action Catalyst, launched by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on behalf of CGIAR at UNCCD COP16, builds precisely this pipeline. More than a delivery mechanism, it is a programmatic climate-finance architecture—a country platform that converts NAP and NDC drought priorities into country-owned investment pipelines, uses concessional finance to derisk early action, and aligns with the country-platform models supported by the GCF and MDBs. Working inside national institutions through three pillars—monitoring and early warning; vulnerability and risk profiling; and preparedness and anticipatory action—it delivers mandated drought governance, risk-informed policy, financed early-action protocols, inclusive digital advisory systems, and trained national teams, with full transfer to national ownership by 2030. Its financing architecture realigns public capital toward anticipatory action while structuring four underutilized pools of non-public capital into an investment-ready pipeline. The Catalyst seeks USD 10 million in seed co-financing (2026–27) to confirm four to five pilot countries and deliver evidence for UNCCD COP17 and negotiations toward a global drought regime. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Climate Action