Page 60 - CIWA AR25

Cross-Cutting Themes: Water Data Revolution

WATER DATA

REVOLUTION

The Water Data Revolution (WDR) program was launched in 2021 analytical tools; practices for collecting, storing, managing,
to address critical data gaps in African transboundary water and analyzing RS data; and the challenges RBOs and regional
management. Closed in December 2024, WDR aimed to empower organizations face when utilizing RS data and related tools. The
African RBOs and regional organizations with advanced remote assessment was carried out through written surveys distributed

sensing (RS) technologies and analytical tools, enabling them to make to 15 RBOs and three regional organizations. The findings revealed
informed, climate-resilient decisions. By combining RS and ground varying levels of familiarity and usage of RS data among organizations,

data, institutions can manage shared resources more effectively, build with limitations primarily due to technical capacity and financial

resilience against climate challenges such as floods and droughts, and constraints. There was a strong demand for training in applications
foster cooperation in investment planning. The initiative was user- with RS data and tools for water accounting and other topics.
driven, focusing on making water data accessible and actionable for
decision makers, and includes capacity-building efforts to ensure Next, a series of virtual capacity‑building workshops provided
organizations can collect, analyze, and utilize their own data. technical training on RS data collection, management, and
analysis. The virtual format promoted greater inclusivity, enabling
Fully utilizing RS data brings strategic value to the political higher number of female participations who might face barriers to
context by enabling open data‑sharing practices and attend in-person sessions. Participants
promoting cross-border trust and collaboration. acquired practical skills in RS
RS technology allows riparian countries to address data collection and
transboundary water challenges such as drought

and flood forecasting on transboundary rivers
and facilitates broader discussions about
the benefits of sharing water resources

and investment planning. The accessibility
of data improves collaboration, reduces
data ownership disputes, and supports
evidenced-based decision making including
on identifying, preparing, and mobilizing
sustainable investments for economic growth.

The WDR program was structured around
three interconnected pillars. Pillar A assessed
the status and needs of end-users; Pillar B focused
on capacity-building through targeted training
and workshops, enhancing the use of RS data and
developing user-friendly data products and analytical
tools; Pillar C supported selected organizations in
applying these tools, such as developing tailored Water
Accounting (WA) dashboards for real-time monitoring
and decision making. These dashboards, created in
collaboration with partners including IWMI, provide
essential insights into water availability, usage, and
distribution and are publicly accessible.

A needs assessment of African
RBOs was conducted by gathering
information on the status of
data usage, data products, and

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