Page 10 - CIWA Water Data Revolution Overview Report

Water Data Revolution: Closing the data gap for transboundary water in Africa

RS does not replace ground measurement – they are more effective when combined – but it
does shift the possible cost-benefit of different approaches to water data collection and
expands the ability of countries to collect data on basins that extend past country borders. It
can fill the spatial and temporal gaps, enabling improved decision making for management of

water resources. Remotely-sensed data and information, combined with in-situ data, can provide
continuous and reliable coverage to be used for basin and water planning and for cross-border
applications, such as monitoring of surface water quality, tracking of water diversions and
allocations, and quantification of water storage in reservoirs.

To address these challenges while capitalizing on available opportunities, the Water Data
Revolution (WDR): Closing the Data Gap for Transboundary Water in Africa, supported by
Cooperation in international Waters in Africa (CIWA) program was launched in 2021. This
initiative, also aligned with the Resilience pillar of the World Bank’s Africa Regional Integration
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(RI) strategy , aims to connect decision-makers across Africa with demand-driven, accessible data
tools to strengthen cooperative water management across borders. The WDR worked closely with
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African River Basin Organizations (RBOs) and Regional Organizations (ROs) to identify and
prioritize their specific data needs and build capacity around digital tools and applications at
transboundary level.

Similarly, CIWA’s overarching objective is to assist riparian governments in Africa in unlocking
the potential for sustainable, climate-resilient growth by addressing key constraints to
cooperative WRM. Collaborative management of transboundary water resources is vital for

Africa to meet the SDG targets and to address cross-cutting issues influencing water decisions,
such as climate change, fragility, conflict, violence, gender equality, social inclusion, human
capital, and economic development. Transboundary cooperation is strengthened by improving
access to information and through identifying, preparing, or mobilizing sustainable investments.
Through initiatives like WDR, CIWA is building the capacity of its partners to make evidence-based
decisions and utilize cutting-edge technologies, while creating a collaborative atmosphere to
promote equitable decision-making addressing challenges associated with transboundary WRM.

The WDR recognizes that technological advancements in data collection and analysis often
progress rapidly, yet they are frequently developed without fully considering the practical
needs of end-users. To address this gap, the program connected users to the data through a multi-

9 The pillar emphasizes supporting regional cooperation to enhance resilience against risks such as food insecurity, natural disasters, and
economic instability, which are increasingly prevalent across the African continent. World Bank, Africa Regional Integration Strategy: Resilience
Pillar (Washington, D.C.: World Bank, 2024)
10 River basin organizations oversee activities that have basin-wide impacts, including at the transnational, national, or local scales.
11 Regional organizations refers to organizations that service multiple rivers and basins, such a multi-governmental organizations focused on
regional or continental operations.
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