Hydrology as a science to drive solutions to Africa's water-related challenges

Approximately 75-80% of natural disasters are water-related, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) has projected that the financial toll of climate change on the continent could reach US$ 50 billion annually by 2040. As water systems in African communities face severe threats from climate extremes, hydrological experts emphasized the urgent need to make a better use of science to strengthen water resource management. 

The Africa Hydrology Conference, organized by WMO in collaboration with the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and various partners, convened in Cairo as part of Cairo Water Week and Africa Water Week 2024 from 15 to 17 October 2024. This event focused on addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change on water resources in Africa. It aimed to demonstrate the critical interlinkages between hydrology, climate resilience, and Early Warning Systems (EWS), and to raise awareness among political leaders, decision-makers, and funding agencies on the importance of hydrology as a science in driving solutions to Africa's water-related challenges. The conference addressed different aspects of water resilience and hydrological monitoring and services, including hydrological data policy, diplomacy and exchange, the integration of water, energy, and food solutions, capacity building, and innovation supporting climate change adaptation.

Plenary Session: Actions for Water and Climate Adaptation and Resilience 

The plenary session emphasized the importance of elevating hydrological monitoring and services to enhance climate resilience in Africa and underscored the need for stronger collaboration between hydrological and meteorological sectors, as noted by H.E. Professor Hani Sewilam, the Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation. 

We need to raise awareness and understanding that the water sector is the most impacted sector of climate change, especially in Africa. We need Early Warning Systems to deal with the hydrological changes.

H.E. Professor Hani Sewilam, Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation

Namibian Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Carl-Hermann Schlettwein, called for evidence-based resource allocation, urging policymakers to invest in hydrology as a critical tool for water security. 

The session concluded that collaboration among countries, policymakers, and hydrological experts is crucial to solving Africa's water challenges and saving lives. Strengthened collaboration between hydrological and meteorological sectors, as well as between Hydrological Advisors and countries, is essential.

Africa Hydrology Dialogue 

The WMO Vision and Strategy for Hydrology underscores WMO’s commitment to contributing to managing water resources and water-related disasters through science-based hydrological monitoring and predictions. The dialogue was centered around actionable solutions with a focus on strengthening capacity building, data exchange, funding mechanisms, and Private Public Partnerships. 

Dr. Tahani Sileet, Chair of AMCOW Technical Advisory Committee and Assistant for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt, reiterated the importance of establishing strong collaborations between WMO and AMCOW to improve hydrological services and organizing the second edition of Africa Hydrology Conference. 

Key points discussed at the Dialogue include:

• The necessity to carry out socioeconomic benefits analysis of hydrological monitoring and data to demonstrate its value across various sectors;
• The importance of ensuring young and female professionals are included in hydrology-related conversations, efforts and solutions;
• The necessity to create an innovative business model and investment programmes to ensure the long-term sustainability and maintenance of hydrological monitoring and products; and
• The necessity to accelerate the implementation of initiatives like Early Warnings For All (EW4All), HydroSOS, and enhancement of data standardization, research, and innovations solutions for hydrology.

Outcomes of discussions

The conference sessions provided actionable insights on how Africa can leverage hydrology to build climate resilience and improve water resource management. Participants stressed the importance of understanding the socioeconomic benefits of hydrological services and the need for innovative approaches to funding and maintaining these critical systems. Additionally, the integration of research, capacity building, and strategic communication was emphasized to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness. 

Key outcomes of the discussions included the following recommendations:

• Although the importance of hydrological data is well recognized, there is still a need to quantify its socioeconomic benefits. Participants urged countries and basin organizations to share case studies and cost-benefit analyses that demonstrate the positive impact of hydrological monitoring.
• Targeted communication strategies are essential to raise awareness among key stakeholders, including ministers, policymakers, and the private sector.
• Closer collaboration between WMO and AMCOW was highlighted as essential for integrating hydrology with Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, which are vital for the sustainability of water management strategies across Africa.
• The need to document all ongoing and future capacity-building activities was emphasized. This will create a comprehensive record that identifies strengths, gaps, and opportunities for synergy in knowledge sharing across the continent.
• There is a need to develop a comprehensive, innovative business model for funding operational hydrology, especially to sustain and maintain hydrological systems and applications.
• Promoting robust systems for data collection, sharing, and analysis at both national and transboundary levels is crucial for the successful implementation of EW4All.
• Translating innovative research findings, especially from the youth, into operational solutions  to effectively address real-world challenges is vital. 

The first Africa Hydrology Conference served as a call for joint action to build water resilience in Africa through better resource management, strengthened early warning systems, and improved service delivery by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS). Lastly, the Conference highlighted the need for increased funding, the necessity to engage more in Public-Private-(People) Partnerships, and a shift to investment plans towards increasing hydrology services based on latest data and information.