Page 35 - CIWA Water Data Revolution Overview Report

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

However, a caveat to consider is that RBOs may still face challenges in terms of data quality due
to the inherent limitations of open-data sources. This makes it essential for RBOs to implement
robust validation processes to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data.

Recent advances of cloud-based analytical tools and services enables RBOs to proceed with real-
time storage, processing, and analysis of data on a global scale. These services, often available at
little or no cost, allow RBOs to monitor key parameters more effectively and scale their operations
to meet growing data demands. By leveraging cloud-based tools, RBOs can improve data-sharing
transparency, streamline workflows, and enhance operational efficiency. This, in turn,

strengthens their overall capacity to manage transboundary water resources more sustainably,
fostering better decision-making and collaboration across borders.

The public domain model allows RBOs to make uniform decisions and can foster more consistent
and transparent collaboration. Providing open access to data enables River Basin Organizations

(RBOs) to establish a shared platform that uses a common data source and standardized format,
facilitating seamless data access for all stakeholders. This ensures consistency in the information
being utilized, eliminating discrepancies and enhancing decision-making. Furthermore, this
approach fosters transparency by allowing any user to track, verify, and validate information;
building trust among member countries. By ensuring that all parties work from a common data
set, this process strengthens the collective capacity of RBOs to address transboundary water
management challenges in a coordinated and informed manner.

2. Empowering RBOs through capacity building and data accessibility

RBOs are typically established by member states or countries to coordinate the management of
shared water resources across borders, with the goal of promoting sustainable and equitable
water use. These organizations are expected to have a comprehensive overview of the entire
basin, considering both the water resources and the environmental, economic, and social factors

that affect the basin. However, RBOs often face challenges in fulfilling this mandate due to limited
resources, insufficient data, and limited technical capacity. In many cases, data gaps, such as the
lack of consistent monitoring or limited access to reliable water quality and quantity data, hinder
their ability to make fully informed, data-driven decisions. This often results in constraints on the
RBOs' capacity to effectively coordinate management efforts and address the complex, multi-
dimensional challenges of managing shared water resources across countries.

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