East Africa

Water is crucial for food security, human well-being and health, and biodiversity. With population increases and economic growth, water is also essential for energy generation, manufacturing and urban development. Economically, Eastern Africa is the fastest growing region on the continent. Most of the growth is in cities, driven by rural migration, especially of young people. Economic expansion leads the continent at close to 7% per year. However, the benefits of economic development are not equally distributed, with women, young people and marginalized groups receiving a disproportionately low share. They are also more vulnerable to climate shocks, due to social exclusion and lack of support, particularly in the agriculture sector, as well as being dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods. Rapid economic growth has also led to unsustainable use of land and water resources, and uncontrolled and widespread industrial pollution.

Eastern Africa experiences regular lengthy periods of drought. The region is plagued by floods: five of the seven most flood‐prone countries on the continent are in Eastern Africa. The frequency and duration of droughts and floods will only increase with climate change. Rapid urbanization and a strong push to create employment in the manufacturing and industrial sectors have created competition over the relative distribution of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes. There are also issues around whether distribution should favor water for smallholders or large-scale farmers, often export-oriented agriculture. Policies on these matters are often vague. The mandate for managing water is spread across different ministries, and the organizations tasked with water management are understaffed and underfunded.

IWMI in East Africa

IWMI works closely with government and nongovernment partners in East Africa to develop solutions for water challenges and priorities. Our work is aligned with the agendas of regional and continent-wide organizations, including the African Union Commission, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the East African Community.

Our work in East Africa is based on the IWMI Strategy 2024–2030. All our activities contribute to supporting the efforts of the region and its countries to meet their targets towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Regional representative

Abdulkarim Seid

Abdulkarim Seid

Country Representative – Ethiopia, Regional Representative – East Africa (Rotational CR)

Contact

For work related to East Africa, please contact our regional office in Ethiopia.

Contact the media team.

Contact our global HQ.

Projects in East Africa

Latest East Africa news

Land degradation in Ethiopia calls for community-led soil interventions 

IWMI and partners collaborated with farmers across the country to develop accessible solutions to combat soil quality issues …

Stories of gender and social inclusion 

IWMI’s work under Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa aims to build climate-resilient livelihoods …

IWMI is helping to address gaps in Africa’s water data

A collaborative, stakeholder-driven approach is enhancing capacity and tailoring solutions to local needs …

Water at the forefront of One Health in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s Water Champions are helping to drive discussions on the complex interplay between water and health, including at the national level …

Latest East Africa publications

Displaying 4 publications
Hydrologic extremes in a changing climate: a review of extremes in East Africa (01/31/2024)
Hydrologic extremes in a changing climate: a review of extremes in East Africa
Current Climate Change Reports, 2024
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (934 KB)
Estimating the potential of spices for mineral provision in a refugee context in East Africa (04/30/2023)
Estimating the potential of spices for mineral provision in a refugee context in East Africa
SN Applied Sciences, 2023
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (1.12 MB)
Automatization and evaluation of a remote sensing-based indicator for wetland health assessment in East Africa on national and local scales (03/16/2023)
Automatization and evaluation of a remote sensing-based indicator for wetland health assessment in East Africa on national and local scales
Ecological Informatics, 2023
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (8.71 MB)
Future changes in climate and hydroclimate extremes in East Africa (02/28/2023)
Future changes in climate and hydroclimate extremes in East Africa
Earthapos;s Future, 2023
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (8.11 MB)