By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria and Egypt have jointly commenced exploring strategies to enhance their bilateral cooperation on water resource management.
The Water Resources Ministers of both countries – Joseph Utsev (Nigeria) and Hani Sewilam (Egypt), met recently over the issue, focusing on addressing shared challenges related to water and climate issues, particularly those affecting the African continent.
Expressing his pleasure at the engagement, Minister Sewilam reiterated Egypt’s unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and deepening the ties between Egypt and Nigeria.
He emphasized the significance of sharing expertise and exchanging successful experiences to combat pressing issues like water scarcity, climate change, and environmental degradation that many African nations face today.
Central to their discussions was the protocol signed during the 7th Cairo Water Week in October 2024, which serves as a foundation for advancing joint initiatives in several key areas.
These include irrigation development, modern irrigation techniques, operation and maintenance of water facilities, combating aquatic weeds using innovative mechanical and biological methods, flood and drought forecasting, risk management, groundwater governance, rainwater harvesting technologies, and water quality monitoring.
Both ministers highlighted the need to accelerate the implementation of these agreements to achieve tangible benefits for their countries.
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Minister Sewilam proposed leveraging the AWARe initiative to advance joint projects that could further scientific research and practical solutions in water management.
He highlighted the role of the Pan African Centre for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA), an institution launched under AWARe, in providing specialized training to Nigerian water experts.
Nigeria, he noted, remains a priority country in this effort to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance resilience to climate challenges within the water sector.
The discussions also touched on the contributions of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) in advancing sustainable water management practices across Africa.
Minister Sewilam reaffirmed Egypt’s dedication to working collaboratively with African nations to address these critical issues, highlighting Egypt’s hosting of the 9th Africa Water Week in October 2024.
Minister Sewilam extended an invitation to the Nigerian delegation to actively participate in the 8th Cairo Water Week, scheduled for October 2025.
He emphasized that Africa would remain the central focus of the discussions, providing a platform for African countries to present their perspectives and share solutions to water and climate challenges.
The meeting held a shared vision of strengthening African solidarity in sustainable water management and climate adaptation.
