Water governance research in Africa: progress, challenges and an agenda for research and action

Olagunju, Ayodele; Thondhlana, Gladman; Chilima, Jania S.; Sène-Harper, Aby; Compaoré, W. R. Nadège; Ohiozebau, Ehimai

doi:10.1080/02508060.2019.1594576

Cited by 27 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…Emerson et al (2011) well noted that conducting thick face-to-face communications and breaking down stereotypes and disagreements are essential for an effective learning process. In the Ethiopian, Accra and South African context (Mutondo et al 2016;Olagunju et al 2019) studies show the advantage of incorporating diverse stakeholders' in the governance of water. Therefore, this study found out practical mechanisms of improving discussions and knowledge combining methods on water.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The production of small wins, such as the incorporation of sectoral interests and pre-deliberation communications, deepens shared understanding which is an important avenue to create a widespread and multi-sectoral involvement in the implementation of action plans (Olsson and Head 2015). Particularly, lack of accountability, responsibility, and exclusion of groups are identified as factors that constrain the collaborative governance of water in Ethiopia, including other African urban centers (Olagunju et al 2019;Arsano et al 2010). Hence, this study helped to better understand the sources of lack of accountability, responsiveness, and fragmented engagements by stakeholders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study identified that institutionalizing participatory water governance requires building the professional capacity of participant individuals that represent different sectors. Given that collaborative processes are naturally interactive and cyclical, lack of professional capacity among water governance experts affects performance in the later stages of the collaborative governance processes (Olagunju et al 2019). Consequently, the adaptation of collective actions to the cultural and organizational context of stakeholders becomes difficult.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analyzing multi-stakeholder collaborative governance practices in urban water projects in Addis Ababa City: procedures, priorities, and structures

Woldesenbet

2020

Appl Water Sci

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Though different technical approaches have been applied, Addis Ababa water bodies are persistently facing problems that affect their biological, economic, sociological, and ecological assets. To fill the technical gaps, multi-stakeholder collaborative governance approaches are unfolding, in the academia, as the important tools or methods of dealing with water problems. Thus, the basic objective of this qualitative exploratory study is analyzing the processes and outcomes of multistakeholder collaboration structures on the governance of urban water projects, and developing potential pathways of building collaboration among stakeholders for the governance of water bodies. The results of this study show that the processes of multi-stakeholder dialogues are handicapped by the absence of prehistory of collaborations, asymmetrical pre-deliberation communication, and the representation of stakeholders by individuals with no experience or the required expertise, and the lack of willingness among stakeholders to engage in the process of dialogues. The activities of supervision, evaluation, river assessment programs, and the establishment of stable and secured governance frameworks are loaded in a few government sectors, leading to the eruption of multiple problems. On the other hand, the potential pathways of building strong collaboration among stakeholders require a systematic procedure that establishes legal, political, and administrative commonality among stakeholders. This guides to instill responsibility, ownership, and commitment on the leaders, directors, and experts to work with others. The study concludes that urban water problems could not be well addressed unless the governance structures are built in advance by making the pre-deliberation and deliberation processes that combine the principles of simplicity, symmetrical communication with all stakeholders, the appointment of experts, and the development of a regular collaboration system. Further, these would enable to govern water governance projects effectively by combining the ecological, social, political, and economic perspectives. Besides, considering cultural, legal, social, and political contexts and establishing individual and organization sensitive committees at various levels is crucial for sustainability and adaptability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analyzing multi-stakeholder collaborative governance practices in urban water projects in Addis Ababa City: procedures, priorities, and structures

Woldesenbet

2020

Appl Water Sci

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“…Scopus, one of the largest abstract and citation databases of peerreviewed literature, was used as the basis for the bibliometric analysis and is commonly used in similar analyses (Özerol et al, 2018;Durán-Sánchez et al, 2019;Olagunju et al, 2019). In terms of the selection criteria, the search included both open-access and other access types from 1990 to 2019, identifying a total of 592 publications.…”

Section: Bibliometric Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of trends in scientific coverage of water governance in South Africa and what this means for agenda-setting of public investment in water governance R&D

Jacobs-Mata

Mukuyu

Dini

2021

WSA

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A review of global trends in water governance reveals a paradigm dominated by political and institutional change which becomes increasingly aligned with global shifts towards sustainability and also a rapid decline in the hydraulic mission. Closely aligned to these trends, but distinct in its own trajectory, South Africa’s water governance dynamics have evolved through a period of considerable socio-political change marked by inequitable resource allocation and water scarcity. This paper presents the results of a review of water governance research and development (R&D) trends in South Africa, aimed at informing the national funding agency – the Water Research Commission (WRC) – in its agenda-setting process for future water governance research. Through a bibliometric analysis, a data-mining exercise, and stakeholder consultations, this paper distils four key areas of focus for the future of water governance research in South Africa: (i) that future water governance research needs to be more needs-based, solution-oriented and embedded within real-life contexts; (ii) the need for a paradigm shift in water governance research to a constructive, adaptive and rapid response research agenda in an environment of increasing change and uncertainty; (iii) the need for the enabling environment to be strengthened, including acknowledgement of the role of individuals as agents of change, and the role of WRC in establishing a community of practice for water governance experts that can respond to issues with agility; and (iv) a consolidation of fragmented project-based knowledge to a programmatic approach that builds the pipeline of expertise in the water governance R&D domain.

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“…Therefore, strategies for responding to drought impacts on water scarcity require a combination of both technical and behavioural responses and lie in understanding people's perceptions and water use practices [4,10,13]. According to Olagunju et al [14], "awareness of sustainable water use and the subsequent design of appropriate water policies to promote sound water resources management have become key elements of water debates, both in theory and practice, in recent years". Addressing human behaviour as a basis for achieving water security is very crucial, as this is a relatively cheaper, user-driven, and sustainable approach [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent Droughts and Water Scarcity: Households’ Perceptions and Practices in Makhanda, South Africa

Pamla

Thondhlana

Ruwanza

2021

Land

Self Cite

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Households in many cities worldwide consume substantial amounts of water, but increasing aridity will result in serious water supply challenges in the future. In South Africa, droughts are now a common phenomenon, with severe implications on water supply for urban households. Developing interventions to minimise the impacts of drought requires understanding of users’ perceptions of water scarcity, water use practices, and participation in water conservation practices. Using household surveys across different income groups (low, medium, and high) in Makhanda, South Africa, this study investigates households’ perceptions of water scarcity, water use, and conservation practices as a basis for designing pathways for sustainable water use practices. Results indicate that a substantial proportion of households were aware of water scarcity and attributed it to poor municipal planning rather than drought and wasteful use practices. Households reported good water use behaviour, but wasteful practices (e.g., regular flushing of toilets) were evident. Gender, age, education, and environmental awareness influenced water use practices, but the relationships were generally weak. Households participated in water conservation measures but felt the local municipal authority lagged in addressing water supply challenges. The implications of the study are discussed.

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Water governance research in Africa: progress, challenges and an agenda for research and action

Cited by 27 publications

References 112 publications

Analyzing multi-stakeholder collaborative governance practices in urban water projects in Addis Ababa City: procedures, priorities, and structures

Analyzing multi-stakeholder collaborative governance practices in urban water projects in Addis Ababa City: procedures, priorities, and structures

A review of trends in scientific coverage of water governance in South Africa and what this means for agenda-setting of public investment in water governance R&D

Persistent Droughts and Water Scarcity: Households’ Perceptions and Practices in Makhanda, South Africa

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