The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has announced that it has expanded its operational footprint in East Africa with the establishment of a new office in Kenya.
The expansion complements its existing regional presence in Ethiopia, where it has been based for the last two decades.
At the launch event, IWMI introduced its Strategy 2024–2030, a forward-looking plan to tackle water security challenges in a region grappling with intensifying droughts and floods.
Themed “Propelling Change,” the event convened government officials, development partners, researchers, private sector leaders, and community representatives to discuss scalable water solutions.
As an international research-for-development organization, IWMI collaborates with governments, civil society, and private entities to address water challenges in developing nations and promote sustainable solutions.
The new strategy represents a significant leap toward advancing water security. Through innovative research and strengthened regional partnerships, IWMI aims to deliver transformative solutions that enhance livelihoods across East Africa.
Ephantus Kimotho, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Irrigation at the Ministry of Water, revealed that the government has plans to scale up irrigation, given that agriculture contributes up to 30% of Kenya’s GDP.
In line with the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), the PS outlined a clear roadmap for improving irrigation infrastructure, enhancing water use efficiency, and ensuring fair water distribution across all regions.
Key focus areas at the conference included scaling irrigation as a service, expanding access to sustainable irrigation, and enhancing water governance to ensure inclusive and equitable water policies.
“Focus is set to be under the five key pathways —FLID, High-Performing Public Schemes, Enabled Corporate Agribusiness, Revitalized Irrigation in ASALs, and Optimized Community-Based Irrigation Projects—the irrigation investment is being guided towards sustainable and impactful growth,” said PS Ephantus.
IWMI Director General Mark Smith stated that the strategy offers a strategic roadmap for advancing research and innovation to enhance water management in the region. He emphasized that this progress marks a key milestone in IWMI’s mission to strengthen water security, foster climate resilience, and advance sustainable agricultural practices across East Africa.
With a clear focus on enhancing water security, supporting climate adaptation, and driving sustainable agriculture, IWMI plans to gather research evidence, develop innovations, and scale them through policies, networks, and strategic partnerships.
Smith emphasized, “Water is at the heart of climate resilience, food security, and economic development. Through this strategy, we are committed to working with partners to implement science-backed solutions to address pressing water-related challenges, improve livelihoods, and support sustainable development in Kenya and across the broader East Africa region.”
Sarah Mbago-Bhunu, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at IFAD, acknowledged the long-standing partnership with CGIAR. She highlighted the timeliness of IWMI’s strategy, noting the increasing severity and unpredictability of water-related challenges.
She called for strengthened collaboration with local authorities, water management institutions, and communities to ensure water safety and sustainability for residents.
“Let’s keep working closely together, as we share similar experiences: droughts, floods, and locusts,” she said. “IFAD has invested about KES 50 billion in irrigation across the continent. We’ve developed a sustainable way of supporting smallholder farmers successfully, affordably, and consistently.”
Like much of Sub-Saharan Africa, the Eastern Africa region faces diverse challenges due to compounded hazards and climate-related risks.
The launch of IWMI’s strategy brought together key stakeholders—including government officials, research institutions, development partners, the private sector, and NGOs—to explore bold, innovative approaches for sustainable water management and climate resilience.
IWMI’s Regional Representative for East Africa, Abdulkarim H. Seid, acknowledged the region’s diverse priorities and confirmed that the strategy is tailored to address them effectively.
He emphasized that the initiative will contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by leveraging research and collaborative partnerships.
“The challenges facing East Africa, as with other parts of the world, require collective action,” said Seid. “This strategy will guide IWMI’s work in the region, ensuring we co-design and co-develop solutions with local communities, governments, academia, the private sector, and other key partners to build resilient and innovative water systems for a sustainable future.”
Dr. Inga Jacobs, IWMI’s Project Lead in Kenya, emphasized that collaboration between IWMI and Kenya’s Ministry of Water will align IWMI’s initiatives with national priorities.
The collaboration will enhance the delivery of solutions tailored to meet the needs of vulnerable communities, who disproportionately face water-related challenges.
Dr. Racheal, IWMI’s Deputy Director, emphasized that the strategy has been streamlined to focus on three core areas: mitigating climate risks, managing water sustainably, and addressing global inequalities.
