Water governance in Awash basin, Ethiopia: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities

Abstract

Water governance has emerged as an important topic in the international arena and is a crucial factor for sustained progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Ethiopia has an abundance of water resources and is home to many transnational rivers. However, regular variations in the spatial and temporal availability of water as well as catastrophic events have resulted in water stress throughout the nation. The objective of this paper is to assess the achievement, challenges, and opportunities of water governance in Awash basin. Literature review and consultations with experts were conducted to identify and describe the core components of water governance (functions), describe their challenges and opportunities, and how they interrelate with the values   of the different stakeholders in Awash basin, Ethiopia. Further discussion with stakeholders was held regarding water policies in the basin, their current state, and policy failures. The review highlights that the management of water resources must be effective and efficient in the current environment, and frequent evaluation and revision of policies, laws, and regulations is essential to reducing water shortage. The Awash Basin's water management agencies were assessed, and historical and modern water management practices, in-depth evaluation of these practices was done in this study. The findings shows that organization, policy creation and regulation, institutional capability, and coordination were essential components of governance.