Key Findings: encouraging signs but barriers remain: 

• Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Implementation 

IWRM is crucial for balancing water demands and ensuring sustainability. While progress has been made, many African countries still face significant challenges in implementation due to insufficient financing and institutional capacity. The report emphasizes the need for developing cross-sector coordination mechanisms, mainstreaming water into other sector initiatives, and creating realistic implementation plans. 

• Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 

From 2017 to 2023, all regions in Africa have made progress in implementing DRR strategies for water-related disasters. However, overall implementation remains ‘medium-low’. The report identifies key challenges such as lack of technology, data, awareness, and stable funding. Recommendations include supporting countries without DRR plans, investing in early warning systems, and leveraging national and international financing. 

• Climate Resilience 

IWRM approaches are essential for climate change adaptation and building resilience. The report highlights the importance of increasing capacities for integrated planning, leveraging climate funding, and positioning IWRM in national climate policies. Strong synergies between climate change adaptation and IWRM are crucial for addressing both climate and water-related challenges. 

• Financing for Water Resources Infrastructure 

Lack of financing remains a major barrier to IWRM implementation. The report calls for developing revenue-raising mechanisms, making the case for water investments supporting other sectors, and addressing actions in a coordinated manner. Improved revenue raising, including through cross-sector approaches, is needed to accelerate progress. 

Recommendations for the Post-2025 Vision and Policy: 

Target-setting: Encourage realistic target-setting for IWRM implementation, and related areas, at continental, regional and national levels.

Monitoring and reporting: Harmonize reporting processes and datasets with other continental and global frameworks, to reduce the ‘reporting burden’ on countries, and ensure data actively feeds into decision-making processes.   

Role of UNEP-DHI: 

 The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the custodian agency of SDG indicator 6.5.1, with UNEP-DHI responsible for supporting countries to monitor and report, including through the SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme.  As a part of UNEP-DHI’s focus on supporting IWRM implementation globally, the Centre assisted in the creation and publication of this Technical Note with AMCOW.

To take a deeper dive into Africa’s IWRM-related progress, read the full Technical Note below: