Context:
As part of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), countries along the Nile River have been working together for years on how to manage and coordinate use of the river. Since 2024, cooperation has been in an important transition phase: the countries must clarify how they want to work together in the future. Rapid population growth, climate change and increasing water needs for agriculture and energy are putting a strain on the water resources of the Nile Basin. At the same time, there are political tensions, conflicts in some countries and very different national plans for how the water is used. The NBI has built up technical expertise, but does not currently have sufficient resources and expertise to strengthen cooperation and trust between the countries and to prepare a new form of cooperation.
Objective:
The NBI can better support the Nile riparian countries in utilising and developing the shared water resources in a future-proof manner.
Approach:
The project focuses on three areas that are particularly important for regional cooperation: First, together with experts from the member states, it is improving the digital applications for measuring and predicting high and low water levels regionally. This enables countries to recognise risks earlier and take better action. Second, the project supports the NBI in moderating the dialogue between the countries on water use. The aim is for the countries to develop a digital system that presents information on available water, its utilisation and future scenarios in a clear and comprehensible way. Third, the project advises the NBI on attracting financing partners for the investment programme. This supports regional projects that promote the protection and responsible use of transboundary waters. During its activities, the project works closely with the NBI, national authorities, regional organisations and international specialist partners.