Transboundary Water Management in Africa 

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Africa’s transboundary basins, rivers, lakes and aquifers provide fresh water to more than 1 billion people. These water sources are vital for agriculture, energy, industry, drinking water, fishing, transportation, biodiversity and ecosystems. Coordination among countries that sharewater resources is of utmost importance to ensure sustainable development, economic growth, peace and stability.

The Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Transboundary Water Management in Africa aims to strengthen regional development and integration through improved water management across borders. 

Launched at the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar in March 2022, this flagship initiative falls within the scope of the Global Gateway and African Union – European Union Investment Package.

The initiative brings together EU institutions, EU Member States, African Union bodies (African Union Commission - AUC, African Ministers' Council on Water - AMCOW, African Network of Basin Organisations - ANBO), and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to mobilize over EUR 670 million in support of water-related investments. 

INTERVENTION LOGIC

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GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE

The geographic scope of the initiative would bear transboundary basins in Africa. The basins that are currently targeted include the Senegal and Gambia basin and aquifers, the Niger basin, including sub basins of Mekrou, Sankarani and Benue, Lake Chad basin and aquifers, the Nile river basin, the Congo-Ubangi-Sangha basin, Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kivu and Ruzizi river and Lake Tanganyika, the Volta river basin and aquifers, the Zambezi river basin, the Okavango river basin, the Orange-Senqu basin and aquifers, Limpopo, Mono, and Chove basins, and the Juba-Shebelle basin and aquifers.

KEY FIGURES

Since its inception in 2021, notable progress has been made, with more EU Member States contributing and an increasing number of projects launched. Key achievements include:

✅ Mobilised €672M to strengthen policy, infrastructure & knowledge sharing
✅ Deployed 56 actions in 19 river/lake basins & 2 aquifers
✅ 14 major infrastructure projects currently ongoing
✅ 26 strategic water management plans under preparation
✅ 12 new African countries acceded to the Water Convention since 2018
✅ 13,000 people trained — including 5,700 women

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EU Member States and financial institutions members of the TEI:

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African organisations involved:

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STORY FROM THE FIELD

The waters of Lake Tangnyika: Safeguarding a jewel of Central Africa 🎥 English version

Les eaux du lac Tanganyika, un écosystème menacé 🎥 French version