Research

Water-related challenges in African countries are pervasive and, moreover, intertwined with population growth, urbanisation, migration, industrialization and increasing manifestations of the impacts of climate change. The salience of innovation for addressing water-related challenges in African contexts is increasingly being realised by policy makers and funders alike. However, difficulties remain with tailoring existing solutions to local contexts, matching water innovation demand and supply, establishing sustainable operational capacity to maintain innovative water systems and technologies, acquiring funding for up scaling proven solutions and setting up an enabling environment for water innovation. To date, limited insights from a water innovation studies perspective are available to inform and guide water innovation policy and practice in African countries.

The centre provides faculty and students with the opportunity to participate in research and advance their scientific knowledge in water resources management.

The research priorities should be driven by the overarching theme of water security, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative issues for human and ecosystem demands. The wide range of issues and questions has been addressed in several policy documents including:

• The African Union Commission Strategic Plan 2014–2017.
• Africa Together through Shared Values.
• Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa2024 (STISA-2024).
• AU Science, Technology & Innovation Strategy for Africa2024 (AMCOST V).
• African Development Bank – Policy for Integrated Water Resources Management.
• African Development Bank – The future of water in African cities: Why wastewater? Integrated
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Growth and Transformation Plan (GTPII) of Ethiopia