Multidonor Water Partnership Program

A Water Partnership Program was established in December 2002 between the African Development Bank and the Netherlands Government to promote the planning of water programs within an integrated framework in the Bank and in the Regional Member Countries (RMCs). Implementation of the Program commenced in January 2003 with the contribution of a grant of USD 5.0 million from the Netherlands government. The Water Partnership Program (WPP) evolved in March 2006 into a Multi–Donor Water Partnership Program (MDWPP), with the participation of Canada and Denmark with grant contributions of CAD 5.0 million and DKK 15.0 million respectively.

Objectives

The general objective of the WPP is to help operationalize the Bank's IWRM (Integrated Water Resources Management) Policy and to create awareness on and enhance commitment to an integrated water resources management approach among RMCs, regional and sub-regional organizations. In addition, the Program will support the coordinating efforts of the Bank with respect to the implementation of efforts aimed at attaining the African Water Vision (AWV) and MDG targets as well as NEPAD programs.

Expected Results

 In the short term:

  • IWRM mainstreamed in Bank policies, programs and operations
  • Bank staff have increased skills and competences in IWRM
  • Bank staff have increased access to information and data for strategic planning through Water Information Centre
  • RMCs have increased awareness of IWRM principles and approaches
  • Regional and sub-regional partnerships strengthened or established.
  • Common African strategies for water development adopted
  • Awareness and adoption of best practices in water sector in AfDB and RMCs

In the long term:  

  • AfDB water sector programs and policies strengthened;
  • New water initiatives/ strategies developed and Bank activities better coordinated
  • RMCs and other African stakeholders having enhanced awareness of and commitment to IWRM principles.

Program Components

The WPP is composed of four main components, which are briefly described below.

  • Support to the Bank’s operations capacity: this includes activities designed to: mainstream the IWRM approach in the Bank’s water operations; develop new guidelines, checklists and manuals; strengthen the capacity of Bank staff and promote gender equity.
  • Water information and data management at AfDB: The would include the development of Bank information system to incorporate collection, analysis, and dissemination of information on all aspects of water and sanitation for Bank operations use.
  • IWRM outreach and knowledge sharing: Activities under this category are designed to generate greater awareness and knowledge about the Bank’s IWRM Policy in the RMCs and  increasing awareness in the region about common water issues and solutions, and the application of IWRM principles and tools.
  • Support for transfer of best practice and experiences: under this component support will be given to promote the transfer of appropriate technologies, to enhance and fast track activities required to meet the MDGs and AWV and to disseminate lessons of innovative water management approaches.

Achievements

The MDWPP has played an important role in facilitating the formulation of key water sector initiatives such as the African Water Facility (AWF) and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI).   Several important products including studies, guidelines and strategy papers in diverse areas relevant to the water sector such as agriculture, wetlands, water supply and sanitation, institutional and policy reforms and financing have been successfully delivered and are contributing to the body of knowledge in the Bank.   The Handbook on Water Harvesting and the Strategy Paper on scaling-up Agricultural Water Development in Africa are two interesting outputs which have relevance to water and food security in Africa.The Programme is currently supporting the development of a comprehensive Water Information and Data Management system for the Bank to enhance access to water sector data for strategic decision-making.

The MDWPP is also contributing to innovative learning such as the use of Earth Observation Information and the promotion of solar energy utilization in rural water supply programmes.  Key studies such as the Health and Socio-Economic Impact of the Provision of Water Supply and Sanitation Services funded by the programme will provide useful insights into the linkages between water, sanitation and health. 

The Programme has supported dialogue across the continent including events such as the 7th Partnership Meeting on Rural Development in West and Central Africa, the Regional workshop on IWRM organized in collaboration with Joint African Institute (JAI) in October 2007 and the roundtable meeting on climate change in Africa which provided vital input into the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kampala, Uganda in November, 2007.

The programme has also provided support to global events such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the World Water Fora, the Pan-African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water and the Bank’s Water Week.  These events have provided a platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences and best practices to enrich the knowledge of AfDB Bank staff and the various stakeholders for an effective implementation of various regional water initiatives.  The WPP also contributed to the funding in early 2008 of the AfricaSan+5 Conference held in Durban, South Africa and supported the organization of the First African Water Week hosted by the Bank in Tunis in March 2008.

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