Agricultural Water Management in Africa presents a comprehensive look at the current state of irrigation development and agricultural water management (AWM) practices across Africa and the Global South. Going beyond just assessment, the book offers actionable guidelines, forward-looking scenarios, and strategic investment plans to help prioritize and implement irrigation and AWM initiatives in the face of climate change.
At the heart of Africa's push for agricultural transformation is the African Union's (AU) Framework for Irrigation Development and Agricultural Water Management. This framework lays out four key development pathways to drive impactful change in water management across the continent: (i) enhanced water control and watershed management in rain-fed agriculture; (ii) farmer-led irrigation development that empowers local growers; (iii) modernization and expansion of irrigation schemes; (iv) utilization of unconventional water sources for sustainable irrigation.
The book maps out the progress and potential of these pathways on a continental scale, showcasing how the AU-IDAWM framework can shape Africa's water-secure agricultural future. To enrich this perspective, it also draws on case studies from Asia and Latin America, creating space for meaningful South-South knowledge exchange. It thoughtfully examines cross-cutting themes such as the water-energy-food nexus and the circular economy, placing AWM in the broader context of sustainability and climate resilience.
Whether you are a policymaker, researcher, practitioner, or development partner, this volume delivers critical insights into how smarter water management can drive agricultural growth, food security, and environmental stewardship in Africa and beyond.
Cofie, Olufunke: -
Olufunke Cofie is the Africa Director for Research Impact at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), where she provides strategic leadership to enhance the organization's development impact through effective research delivery and engagement with partners across Africa and the Middle East. Her role focuses on improving the responsiveness and effectiveness of IWMI's research capabilities and creating sustainable water management solutions tailored to the needs of each country. She has led the design and execution of projects aimed at generating water and agricultural innovations for sustainable development across Africa and the Middle East.
Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe: -
Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi is a Professor of climate change, food systems & health at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and serves as the Director of the Lancet Countdown Africa Centre. He adopts a systems approach at the intersection of water, energy, food, environmental, and health systems--commonly referred to as the WEF+ nexus--driving research, teaching, and policy-relevant initiatives to strengthen sustainable, climate-resilient food systems. In addition to his role at LSHTM, Tafadzwa is the Lead for the Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus for the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) and the Director of the Institute of Natural Resources. He holds the position of Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, contributing extensively to academic and policy discourse on climate adaptation and sustainable development.
Senzanje, Aidan: -
Aidan Senzanje is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. His research focuses on irrigation technology, irrigation and agricultural water management and the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus. Previously, he served as a Visiting Scientist at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Pretoria, South Africa. His practical experience includes undertaking technical consultancies in irrigation engineering, agricultural water management, project evaluation and environmental management systems. He was involved in the planning, development and launching of new academic programmes in Land and Water Management for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the BSc Agricultural Engineering degree at the University of Zimbabwe.
