Egypt has backed efforts to mobilise financing for a package of 36 projects in southern Nile Basin countries, covering hydropower, electricity interconnections, transmission lines, water supply and multipurpose infrastructure, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam said.
Sewilam made the remarks during a meeting in Berlin with Wolf-Jürgen, head of Germany’s Federal Academy for Security Policy, and an accompanying delegation to discuss Egyptian-German cooperation in water resources and support for water and climate adaptation projects in Africa.
He said the 36 projects fall under the Nile Basin Initiative’s investment programme, which aims to identify priority projects and strengthen their technical, environmental and social readiness ahead of financing and implementation.
Sewilam also highlighted a newly launched Egyptian financing mechanism, initially funded with $100m, to study and implement development projects in Nile Basin countries based on their priorities. These include infrastructure and dam projects in the southern basin states.
Egypt has already implemented more than $120m worth of cooperation projects in Nile Basin countries and elsewhere in Africa, he said.
The projects have included drilling approximately 365 wells, installing solar-powered groundwater stations, constructing rainwater-harvesting reservoirs and river ports, and establishing rainfall and flood forecasting centres and water-quality laboratories.
Egyptian programmes have also covered flood protection, aquatic weed control and training for around 1,650 participants from Nile Basin and other African countries, according to the ministry.
During the meeting, Sewilam and the German delegation discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in water research and practical applications, as well as the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus and support for the Pan African Centre for Water and Climate Adaptation.
The minister also outlined Egypt’s “Water System 2.0” approach, which focuses on maximising the return from each unit of water, expanding the use of digital technologies, improving water-system operations and governance, and making greater use of research and innovation.
The talks also addressed Egypt’s role as chair of the African Water Facility and ongoing cooperation with Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to help African countries prepare water and climate projects that are ready for financing.
Sewilam said international river management should be based on cooperation, consultation and mutual benefit among riparian states, while adhering to international law.