Modelling the WEF Nexus to support Sustainable Development: An African Case

In today’s world, rising populations and growing economies have led to an ever-increasing demand for water; for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes. This water stress is more acutely felt in the global south which is experiencing a much more rapid rate of development than the rest of the world. Africa in particular, is the fastest growing region of the globe as it undergoes a population explosion and an economic boom. In addition, the region is also one of the most vulnerable in terms of adverse impacts of climate change; sea-level rise, flooding, and drought. This perfect storm of water-related challenges is exacerbated by poor management, placing the continent in dire need of new and efficient approaches towards managing its resource. This chapter examines the WEF-Nexus from an African perspective, presenting the WEF-Nexus approach as a key driver for Sustainable Development in the region. Drawing from research carried out as part of the EU Horizon 2020-funded DAFNE project, the chapter goes on to describe a model for Economic Developments for the WEF Nexus at river basin scale and its incorporation into a Decision Analytic Framework that integrates environmental, socio-cultural, legal and policy dimensions of the WEF-Nexus.