The Nile Basin Initiative

By: Rick Tuvilla and Julius Manalansan

Overview

Introduction

Socio-Economics

Conflicts

Nile Basin Initiative

Steps towards improved water use efficiency

Objectives

Understand the basics of hydrology and drainage basin Management

Understand the creation of the Nile Basin Initiative

Determine the steps taken to improve water efficiency in the Nile

Introduction

Terminology Hydrology

The science dealing with the occurrence, circulation, distribution, and properties of the waters of the earth and its atmosphere

Drainage Basin Area from which all precipitation

flows to a single stream or set of streams

Where surface water from rain, melting snow, or ice converges to a single point at a lower elevation

Nile River

6,850 km in length (4,149 km navigable)

Annual Flow: 84 billions cubic meters/year

Flows through many countries Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia,

Sudan and many more

Socio-Economics

40% of the population in Africa is located in the Nile Basin

Population distribution in the basin is dominated by a shift toward greater urbanization Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda,

and Uganda

Implications for water management Consumes more water per

capita Domestic and Industrial use

Socio-Economics

Growth rates of gross domestic and gross national products are uneven

Higher per capita GDP greater water demand

The relative growth influence future water demands

Increase industrial activity adversely impact water quality If pollution control measures are not implemented,

monitored, and enforced

Conflicts in the Niles

Ancient Egyptian Civilization Wanted the whole Nile

Valley under rule

Colonialism, 20th century Britain removed vegetation Created alternative

drainage paths to divert and improve flow

Negotiated with Ethiopia, France, Italy Ethiopia provide 80% of

water France and Italy prevent

intervention

1929 Nile Water Agreement

Water allocation to support Egyptian planned developments on the river

Divided the Nile’s water Between the two most

downstream countries Without consulting any of

the other involved parties Egypt with monopoly over

resource, Sudan with 5% of river’s flow

1959 Nile Water Agreement

Full utilization of the Nile water, 84 BCM

Egypt and Sudan

The DRC, the East African countries, and Ethiopia not consulted over the final terms Water rights have not

been explicitly mentioned

1959 Nile Water Agreement (Cont.)

Invalidated the agreement

Requested renegotiation to take own interests into account

Ethiopia’s population nearly the size of Egypt Egypt argues population growth to double by 2025

Access to volume of water is vital to support growing population

Ethiopia’s Downfall

Claimed that the country can sustain itself through rain fed agriculture

Successive drought-inducted famines in the last three decades

Ethiopia One of the poorest

countries in world Food insecurity

Ethiopian Struggles

Poverty reduction and increased food security Developing country’s vast

arable land, requires more water

Egypt feels threatened by potential demands for more water

Construction of small dams using small amounts of river’s annual flow Diplomatic influence in

1990’s to block an African Development Bank loan to Ethiopia

Taking a Step Forward

1998, all countries, except Eritrea, joined in a dialogue to create a regional partnership Facilitate the common pursuit of sustainable

development and management of the Nile’s waters

To create an enabling environment of cooperation, action and investments With respect to management of the Nile’s waters

Nile Basin Initiative

Launched in 1999

Members include Egypt, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia,

Rwanda, and more

Three Departments Water Resource Management

Department Strategic Planning &

Management Department Finance & Administration

Department

Goals

Develop water resources

Ensure efficient water management

Ensure cooperation and joint action

Target poverty eradication and promote economic integration

Steps towards improved water use

Reduce the amount of wasted water Not reducing amount

of water used

Soil and land management Farming practices

Soil and water conservation Erosion

Example Projects

Eastern Nile Flood Preparedness and Early Warning Project

Eastern Nile Watershed Management Project

Efficient Water Use for Agriculture Production

Efficient Water Use for Agricultural Production

Education in watershed management

Establish Training centers for optimal land use

Develop irrigation management

Eastern Nile Flood Preparedness & Early Warning Project

Strengthened flood forecasting

Flood Embankment designs Prevent loss of land

Risk Mapping Indicates high risk areas

Flood Damage

Water Contamination

Damage to Crops

Soil loss

Loss of Livestock

Eastern Nile Watershed Management Project

Fodder trees and grasses Separate crop for animal

feed

Irrigation facilities Use water more effectively

Trenches Preventive measures and

water storage

Improved planting materials Efficient

Results

400 meters of riverbank stabilized

Rise in crop yield from 100%, 75%, 123% Sorghum, Sesame, Phaseolus

Soil fertility, crop productivity, increased incomes

Other Projects

Education of Watershed Management Reduced loss of topsoil Increased crop yield Better water quality

Reduced pollutants Reduced silt load

Conclusion

Nile Basin Initiative Rose awareness issues and challenges Educated farmers on getting most of their land Increased profit to farmers and countries

Simple References

http://www.nilebasin.org/index.php/about-us/the-river-nile

http://www.nilebasin.org/index.php/trending-topic/190-towards-improved-water-use-efficiency-in-the-nile-basin

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/AFR/2010/12/09/389D8859082DC1CD852577F4003A6C1F/1_0/Rendered/PDF/P1035180ISR0Di020920101291891087830.pdf

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/AFR/2014/12/23/090224b08294d38a/1_0/Rendered/PDF/Africa000Easte0Report000Sequence009.pdf

http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/1094/2584/reports/efficient-water-use-for-agricultural-production-56p-232k.pdf