The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) 10 Year Strategy is inspired by, and provides a tool for implementing, the Shared Vision Objective of the Member States, which is “to achieve sustainable socio-economic development through equitable utilization of, and benefit from the shared Nile Basin water resources”. The Strategy has also been shaped by other regional and global policy documents such as the Africa Water Vision 2025, the AU’s Agenda 2063, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Strategy, prepared in consultation with the Member States has identified six strategic priorities for 2017-2027
GOAL 1: WATER SECURITY: WATER SECURITY – MEETING RISING WATER DEMAND
We make use of the shared waters of the Nile Basin to meet each other’s demand.
What does that mean? If countries develop as planned, we will need 1.5 Niles by 2050. Together, we will better monitor, manage and develop the Nile, use existing water sources more efficiently and explore new ones. This way, we will have enough water for us all.
GOAL 2: ENERGY SECURITY- UNLOCKING AND OPTIMISING HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL
We harness our hydropower potential together to energise our economies.
What does that mean? Demand for energy in the Nile Basin is expected to triple by 2035. Together, we will build the right dams in the right places, connect our power grids and trade the harnessed energy – so that we all benefit from the Nile to light up our cities and energise our economies.
GOAL 3: FOOD SECURITY -INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY
We invest together for a food secure future.
What does that mean? Most of the Nile water is used to produce food. Growing populations will require even more. Together, we grow more crops with less water, make the most of rainfall and trade food across the basin – so that there is enough food on the table of everyone.
GOAL 4: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY- PROTECTING AND RESTORING DEGRADED ECOSYSTEMS
We manage our environment together, for today and tomorrow.
What does that mean? Rivers, lakes and wetlands of the Nile Basin, which provide services on which millions of lives depend, are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Together, we ensure that these ecosystems are protected and receive the water they need.
GOAL 5: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION – PREPARING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
We prepare together for climate change impacts.
What does that mean? Climate change will make flood and drought periods in the basin more frequent and prolonged. We help communities and governments to better prepare for flood and drought events – by improving information flow and the resilience of infrastructure.
GOAL 6: STRENGTHEN TRANSBOUNDARY WATER GOVERNANCE – BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD A COMMON GROUND FOR WIN-WIN BENEFITS
We bring people together – to build a common ground for win-win benefits.
What does that mean? The Nile connects us all – we depend on it to sustain our lives, economies and environments. NBI provides the only basin-wide platform for countries to deliberate on how to cooperatively plan, manage and develop the Nile to benefit current and future generations.
Underpinning all the strategic priorities is the increase in cooperation between member states and dialogue with NBI’s broader stakeholders and regional actors.