Investing in water security for climate resilient growth and development

The document outlines a governance framework for achieving climate-resilient development in Africa, stressing that resilience must be mainstreamed into central government planning rather than treated as a separate agenda. It identifies a hierarchy of responsibility where central governments lead coordination, line ministries implement sector-specific policies, and local communities provide essential bottom-up perspectives. A significant portion of the brief focuses on the necessity of transboundary cooperation through Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and River and Lake Basin Organisations (RLBOs) to manage Africa's 53 shared river basins. Finally, it emphasizes that successful implementation depends on engaging non-state actors, including private businesses and civil society, through financial incentives and consultation.

• Climate resilience should be integrated into the mainstream of development planning rather than being managed through separate processes, agendas, or budget lines.
• Central governments are positioned to lead the coordination of climate-resilient development, ensuring line ministry strategies align with national objectives and securing necessary funding.
• Local communities and municipal administrations bear the primary impact of climate change and must be involved through consultation to ensure adaptation meets local needs and incorporates indigenous knowledge.
• Transboundary cooperation is essential for water security in Africa because the continent has 53 shared river basins, meaning national-level adaptation alone is insufficient due to downstream implications.
• Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and River and Lake Basin Organisations (RLBOs) serve as critical platforms for negotiation and technical support to realize the benefits of shared water resources.
• The actual implementation of climate-resilient development relies heavily on non-state actors, including private businesses, water users, and civil society, who must be motivated through information and financial inducements.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (n.d.). Investing in water security for climate resilient growth and development. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/WaterSecurity_Brief3_pr3.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Investing in water security for climate resilient growth and development. n.d. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/WaterSecurity_Brief3_pr3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Investing in water security for climate resilient growth and development |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/WaterSecurity_Brief3_pr3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetworkndinvesting, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Investing in water security for climate resilient growth and development}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/WaterSecurity_Brief3_pr3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }