Why water resilience matters: Lessons from Southern Africa

In Southern Africa, two mighty river basins - the Limpopo and the Okavango - serpentine through seven countries, sustaining the lives and livelihoods of over 21 million people. These waterways are the lifeblood of communities, ecosystems, and economies across the region. Yet, as climate change progresses, populations expand, and the pressure placed upon these water resources keeps rising, the long-term sustainability of these systems is in question.

Between 2018 and 2023, the USAID Resilient Waters programme sought to address these issues, focusing on transboundary water management and resilience-building. Our involvement in this programme has allowed us to contribute to shared knowledge on strengthening water resilience in such complex and diverse settings. But why is this critical, and what insights have emerged from our collective efforts?

The power of integrated thinking

First and foremost, we've learned that water doesn't respect borders. The challenges facing the Limpopo and Okavango basins don't stop at national boundaries, so neither can our solutions. By fostering collaboration across countries and sectors we can better recognise the intricate connection between water, food security, energy, and ecosystems. When we strengthen one, we strengthen them all.

Firstly, the programme sought to improve transboundary water governance. This involved strengthening the capacity for integrated water resources management and facilitating evidence-based understanding of climate risks amongst stakeholders across multiple levels. From regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to transboundary river basin organisations, national governments, private sector actors, and grassroots community groups, the aim was to create a more inclusive and sustainable approach to water management

Second, coordination with international cooperating partners and donors of river basin organisations within SADC took centre stage. To achieve impact across such a large region, the Resilient Waters Program facilitated complimentary investment into activities that sought to build the resilience of river basin communities. Collaborative investments were made with programs supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the European Union, GIZ, The Nature Conservancy, and National Geographic.

The third focus area was innovation. The programme embraced scientific evidence, technological advancements and innovative solutions to boost water resilience. For instance, ensuring the uptake of innovative practices at the community level for co-management of water systems in Angola, capacitating National authorities to integrate hydrological monitoring data into basin planning tools for evidence based decision making by transboundary river basin organisations, and supporting innovative approaches to developing transboundary protected areas for the management of fisheries resources and wetlands.

Navigating challenges, gleaning insights

One significant challenge was aligning diverse national priorities. Despite all stakeholders being affiliated with SADC, countries were at different levels of economic development and political maturity, each with its own set of priorities. This diversity highlighted the need for flexible, context-specific approaches in transboundary water management.

Similarly, the varying levels of organisational maturity among partner institutions necessitated tailored capacity building approaches. The Covid-19 pandemic brought the need for adaptive management into sharp focus. The programme had to swiftly transition to online activities and virtual workshops, demonstrating the importance of adaptive project management.

Perhaps most importantly, the programme reinforced the necessity of a nexus- and systems-thinking approach. The intricate connections between water, food, energy, and the environment demanded a holistic framework to build effective linkages between various actors and sectors.

Looking ahead

The journey towards water resilience in Southern Africa is far from over, but programmes like Resilient Waters provide a roadmap for navigating the complexities of transboundary water management in a changing climate. By continuing to foster collaboration, embrace innovation, and invest in local capacity, we can work towards a future where the waters of the Limpopo and Okavango continue to sustain and nourish the region for generations to come.