Inga Jacobs-Mata
Strategic Program Director – Water, Growth and Inclusion
Areas of expertise
Migration Laws Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus Corporate water stewardship GovernanceBefore joining IWMI, Inga Jacobs-Mata was the research group leader for the integrated water solutions group at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa, where she managed a transdisciplinary team of researchers working on the co-development of integrated water solutions in South Africa and throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Inga was also the Executive Manager: Business Development, Marketing and Communications at the Water Research Commission, South Africa.
Current projects
Latest news for Inga Jacobs-Mata
Equity and inclusion must guide water solutions
At the 2025 CGIAR Gender Conference, IWMI underscored that the future of water security depends on scaling equity as effectively as climate-smart innovation ...
IWMI’s Inga Jacobs-Mata honored as one of 2025’s Top Agri-Food Pioneers
The World Food Prize Foundation recognizes IWMI’s Director of Water, Growth and Inclusion for her leadership in empowering farmers and businesses across East and Southern Africa ...
Ethiopia and Kenya to benefit from solar-powered technologiesÂ
The Solar Energy for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR) project in Ethiopia and Kenya aims to strengthen food systems and improve climate resilience ...
IWMI pilots index-based flood insurance in ZambiaÂ
This groundbreaking approach to insurance can help farmers receive payments faster after disasters and become more climate resilient ...
Science-backed solutions buoying water security in East Africa
IWMI and global partners commune during CGIAR Science Week to improve water security ...
New Scaling Hub to drive agricultural solutions for Africa
IWMI’s Inga Jacobs-Mata commented on the launch of the Scaling for Impact Hub in Nairobi, aimed at transforming agriculture in East and Southern Africa ...
November-December 2024 Research Journal RoundupÂ
Roundup of research, journal and other academic articles from November and December 2024 ...
Mitigating challenges for Southern African agribusiness as new African markets open
IWMI's Inga Jacobs-Mata, Ojong Enokenwa Baa and colleagues discuss the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ...
Climate change and water sector consultation: Water security is climate security
South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation and IWMI led a consultation to contribute to the country’s revised Climate Change Strategy ...
The digital divide for food, land, and water systems: What is it and what can be done?
A proposed framework and innovative digital inclusivity index aim to address marginalization ...
IWMI and partners prioritize inclusivity at Africa Food Systems Forum 2023
The annual event gathers a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the agricultural challenges facing the continent ...
Promoting youth-led innovation to build climate-smart agribusiness solutions
Ten groups, consisting of young entrepreneurs, professionals, and graduate students, with ideas for transformative approaches to climate-smart agriculture and climate information services participated in the three-phase challenge ...
Latest publications by Inga Jacobs-Mata
Report
Needs assessment to enhance public-private partnerships in smallholder irrigation development and management in Ethiopia
International Water Management Institute | July 4th, 2025
Report
Conflict forecast for digital solutions for climate security & migration in Kenya: Innovation Package and Scaling Readiness (IPSR) Report
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration | December 30th, 2024
Report
Co-design and implementation of Index Based Flood Insurance (IBFI) in flood proofing communities of Mazabuka District, southern Zambia
International Water Management Institute (IWMI); CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa | December 30th, 2024
