Attachments
Abstract/Description
Water insecurity is an urgent challenge in Africa, driven by climate change, rapid population growth, and increasing multi-sectoral demand that place mounting pressure on already limited water resources. In this context, the availability of reliable, accessible, and integrated water data is essential for improving water management and supporting informed decision-making. To address this need, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has launched the IWMI Africa Geoportal, a dynamic, open-access platform that transforms complex water data into actionable insights.
Built on Esri’s Geoportal technology, the IWMI Africa Geoportal goes beyond a traditional data repository. It functions as a decision-support system designed to empower policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and development partners to make strategic, evidence-based choices about water management across the continent. The platform serves as a unified digital gateway where users can explore regional water accounts, analyse trends in rainfed and irrigated water use, and integrate socio-economic and environmental data to gain a deeper understanding of water-related challenges.
Key features of the Africa Geoportal include interactive dashboards and maps that visualize water availability and use across Africa, tools for analysing trends in water use, scarcity, and availability over time, and integrated water indicators that combine environmental and socio-economic datasets. By making complex information more accessible and usable, the IWMI Africa Geoportal supports more holistic, data-driven approaches to addressing Africa’s water security challenges.