By Abdullahi Lukman
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has unveiled its 2024–2030 strategy, aimed at addressing water management and agricultural challenges across Africa through science-based and climate-smart innovations.
It was unveiled last Monday during the Africa Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage, held in Abuja.
IWMI’s Director General, Dr. Mark Smith, presented the strategy, which focuses on strengthening water security and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
“The IWMI Strategy 2024–2030 outlines an ambitious agenda for research and innovation in water security. It tackles both current and emerging water management challenges and is backed by a clear action plan to foster partnerships, sustainable growth, and greater impact,” Smith said.
He highlighted four strategic pathways for transforming agriculture in Africa: watershed restoration, improved irrigation performance, water reuse, and farmer-led irrigation.
IWMI DG noted that these approaches align with the African Union’s broader development goals and are already delivering results in countries like Ethiopia and Mali.
In Ethiopia’s Yeboa Watershed, IWMI-supported interventions such as terracing and contour farming have reduced erosion, improved groundwater recharge, and expanded irrigable land fivefold.
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In Mali, collaboration with the Office du Niger led to the co-development of irrigation performance indicators, enabling data-driven investments and more efficient water use.
Smith also emphasized the importance of reusing wastewater in agriculture, which he said not only alleviates pressure on freshwater resources but also boosts soil fertility and supports a circular economy.
Speaking further, IWMI Africa Director for Research Impact, Dr. Funke Cofie, reiterated the institute’s commitment to resilience, environmental sustainability, and risk management.
She highlighted IWMI’s development of the AWARE platform—Nigeria’s flood early warning and anticipatory response system—which uses satellite data to forecast flood events and guide proactive community action.
“We are moving from reactive disaster management to proactive planning,” Cofie said. “Whether in the arid north or the southern regions, we are here to turn knowledge into impact and deliver solutions tailored to Nigeria’s diverse water challenges.”
During the two-day conference, IWMI hosted five technical sessions on themes such as digital innovations in water management, the water-energy-food-environment nexus, and farmer-led irrigation systems.
The institute also introduced new training tools for irrigated rice production in Africa.
With the unveiling of its new strategy, IWMI is set to deepen its collaboration with public institutions, research bodies, and local communities to develop region-specific solutions to the country’s water and agricultural challenges.
