The kick-off conference of the Water Security in Africa (WASA) research programme took place from 25 to 27 September 2024 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. With 108 participants from research, politics, industry, and interdisciplinary networks, the event marked the start of the main phase of the WASA programme, which aims to contribute to sustainably secure water resources in the southern African region. During the Kick-off Conference, experts of the water sector from Germany and southern Africa used the opportunity to discuss solutions to the urgent challenges to improve water management, supply and re-use in southern Africa.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Sustainable Water Management
The WASA programme (2024-28) seeks to make a sustainable contribution to improving water supply, wastewater management, and the preservation of natural ecosystems in Africa. The conference centred around the exchange between the various actors from science, politics, industry, and civil society. This was reflected in the high-profile speakers at the opening session, where representatives from the South African government and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) shared their vision for the programme.
Dr. Rainer Müssner from the BMBF highlighted the essential aspect of working together as equals between German and African partners. “Water is a key resource for the wellbeing and economic prosperity of societies in Europe as well as Africa. Given the current and the ever increasing multiple pressures on water resources due to global change, smart and innovative solutions for water management are more needed than ever.”
In her opening address, Lindiwe Lusenga, Deputy Director General at the South African Department of Water and Sanitation, emphasised the importance of international cooperation.
Key Research Areas and Initial Project Approaches
The structure of the WASA programme is based on three thematic areas, with seven large-scale collaborative research projects:
- Sustainable Water Management
- Water Infrastructure and Technology
- Hydrological Forecasting and Management of Extreme Events
These projects address the complex challenges of sustainable water management in regions increasingly affected by climate change and limited resources. The aim of the research is to translate scientific findings into practical solutions, thereby improving water security and the quality of life for people in these regions.
Kelly Luzibo Gaboiphiwe, Water Resources Manager at the Department of Water and Sanitation in Botswana and member of the WASA governing board, underscored the importance of an integrated approach. “Water security cannot be achieved through a single action but rather through integration of tools and strategies. WASA should therefore continuously seek to find intelligent and sustainable solutions to emerging issues that threaten water security in Africa.”
Practice-Oriented Research and Cooperation
A crucial aspect of the WASA programme is its focus on applied research which addresses local and regional conditions, as well as technological and infrastructural requirements. Prof. Hamanth Kasan, President of the International Water Association (IWA), stressed the urgency of decentralised water management systems and efficient water usage in his keynote address. He also highlighted the role of water utilities as key factors in water security and resilience in the face of climate change. “The challenge is to develop solutions that are locally effective and sustainable in the long term – and this requires expertise from different sectors,” said Kasan.
Fostering Exchange and Networking
The conference enabled the scientists, private sector experts and decision makers involved in the seven WASA projects to exchange ideas, identify synergies, and present initial results. Not only was the current status of each research project presented and discussed, but also ways of fostering interdisciplinary and cross-border collaboration. The exchange of knowledge, best practices, and technologies between African and German partners was emphasised as a key factor for the programme’s success.
On the first day of the conference, the participants took the opportunity to take part in thematic working groups on the topics of decision support, technical innovation and capacity building to exchange ideas and network. The aim is to support the projects through cross-networking allowing to identify and exploit synergies and thus maximize project success.
Additionally, the WASA project partners split up in four task force groups on the second day of the conference and discussed the cross-cutting topics, namely 1) innovations in water governance and economics, 2) digitalization and early-warning systems for water security, 3) water transition: Re-thinking water use, and 4) groundwater and mine water management. The multi-sectoral experts forming these task force groups developed a common understanding to work on cross-cutting issues beyond the project duration, also in support of facilitating the transfer of research results.
Future Prospects of the WASA Programme
The WASA programme, which is part of the BMBF’s “Research for Sustainability” (FONA) initiative, represents a significant step forward in scientific cooperation between Germany and Africa. Funded by the BMBF, with additional support from the South African Water Research Commission (WRC) and in-kind contributions from over 90 partner institutions, the programme plays a crucial role in addressing Africa’s and global sustainability goals.
In the coming years, the programme will continue to focus on practice-oriented research to improve water security in the affected regions. In addition to developing innovative technical solutions, the programme aims to strengthen institutional capacities and support the implementation water-related policy frameworks.
The next opportunities for deeper networking will be offered by various events, which will be announced in the event calendar on the programme website and organised by WASANet, the transfer and networking project supporting programme implementation.