Tracking water for countries and catchments: a new scale invariant water accounting framework for Africa

Velpuri, Naga Manohar; Leh, Mansoor; Seid, Abdulkarim

Tracking water for countries and catchments: a new scale invariant water accounting framework for Africa

Autores

Velpuri, Naga Manohar

Leh, Mansoor

Seid, Abdulkarim

Editor

International Water Management Institute

Descripción

Increasing water scarcity requires urgent action through integrated and sustainable water management. However, many countries lack sufficient hydro-monitoring networks, limiting their understanding of water use, demand, and shortages. In Africa especially, declining monitoring stations worsen water data scarcity and weaken effective resource management. Water security is essential for food security, economic stability, and societal well-being. Unsustainable practices have reduced per capita water availability, highlighting the need for improved water resource management. To address these challenges, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) launched the Digital Innovations for Water Secure Africa (DIWASA) initiative. It uses Scale Invariant Water Accounting Plus (SIWA+), adapted from the Water Accounting Plus (WA+) framework. SIWA+ applies remote sensing and limited in situ data to generate water accounting indicators such as water yield and water use for any spatial boundary, from river basins to entire countries, enabling scalable water management across Africa.