How integrated nexus planning could secure a resilient and sustainable future for Africa
Many African nations face significant, interconnected development challenges, including over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture, heavy dependence on hydropower for electricity generation, rapid population growth, and related economic pressures. These vulnerabilities are heightened by the impact of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, which reduce hydropower output and diminish agricultural productivity.
How integrated nexus planning could secure a resilient and sustainable future for Africa
Many African nations face significant, interconnected development challenges, including over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture, heavy dependence on hydropower for electricity generation, rapid population growth, and related economic pressures. These vulnerabilities are heightened by the impact of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, which reduce hydropower output and diminish agricultural productivity.
The water–energy–food–environment (WEFE) nexus is recognized as a critical framework for sustainable development, emphasizing the intricate interdependence of these key resources and domains. Addressing issues that arise within the WEFE nexus requires coordinated, multi-agency planning to foster coherence across sectors and ultimately build long-term resilience and sustainability in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063.
These topics were explored during a session at the recent Africa Climate Summit 2 (ACS2) co-hosted by The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the World Resources Institute (WRI). Opening the session, Mbeo Ogeya (WRI) emphasized that fragmented, siloed decision-making often leads to competing priorities, while nexus approaches help bridge gaps and create shared benefits. This set the tone for subsequent presentations that illustrated the power of the WEFE nexus approach in real-world policy and planning scenarios.