The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus approach to water infrastructure in Africa: integrated planning, climate resilience, and inclusive growth

Africa stands at a critical juncture, with intersecting challenges of water scarcity, energy deficits, food insecurity, and climate vulnerability threatening sustainable development. With over 400 million people lacking access to clean water and climate change projected to reduce GDP growth by 2–4%...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Zemadim, Birhanu, McCartney, Matthew P., Matchaya, Greenwell C., Cofie, Olufunke O.
Formato: Brief
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Water Management Institute 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179589
Descripción
Sumario:Africa stands at a critical juncture, with intersecting challenges of water scarcity, energy deficits, food insecurity, and climate vulnerability threatening sustainable development. With over 400 million people lacking access to clean water and climate change projected to reduce GDP growth by 2–4% annually in vulnerable nations, conventional sectoral approaches to infrastructure development are proving inadequate. The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus emerges as a transformative framework for optimizing water infrastructure investments by recognizing the fundamental interdependencies among these critical sectors. This paper presents African case studies in which integrated green-grey infrastructure systems have demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive economic growth. Drawing on the CGIAR Initiative on Nexus Gains, we analyzed how nexus approaches contribute to nutrition and food security, poverty reduction, gender equity, climate adaptation, and environmental sustainability in African contexts. Policy recommendations emphasize cross-sectoral governance, blended financing, and community-led solutions.