The Regional Nile Day celebrations took place on 22nd February 2024 in Bujumbura-Burundi under the theme: ‘Unlocking the benefits from Nile Transboundary Cooperation’, to celebrate the 18th Nile Day and mark 25 years of existence of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI).
Hon. Sam Cheptoris chairman of the Nile Council of Ministers and minister of water and environment, Uganda while addressing the celebrants said that the 22nd of February each year is very important in the Nile Basin Cooperation as it marks the birth of the NBI.
“This year’s celebrations are unique in that we are also taking stock of the successes and challenges in our NBI journey, recognizing Nile Cooperation as key to sustainable socio-economic development and regional transformation,” said Cheptoris
Before the formation of the NBI, riparian countries pursued socioeconomic developments on shared water courses based on unilateral aspirations. “Today, and thanks to our Nile Basin Initiative platform, there is a paradigm shift to more holistic planning, with countries realizing that there is more to gain in cooperative development than unilateral efforts,” Hon. Sam Cheptoris added
He also applauded the respective governments for their commitment to Nile cooperation. “I have no reason not to believe that this will continue. I also take this opportunity to thank our development partners for the tremendous financial and technical support extended to us since 1999; this is very much appreciated.”
Hon. Sam Cheptoris addressing the celebrants
While the NBI is relatively a young river basin organization in a global arena, especially growing from scratch, it has registered great achievements where it has managed to mobilize countries to prepare joint investment projects that are critical to improving the livelihoods of the citizenry.
This day also saw the celebration of one of the Nile Basin Cooperation flagship projects: the 80 Megawatts Regional Rusumo Hydroelectric Power Generation Plant and the transmission lines currently distributing power to the National grids of Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania elevating people out of poverty and also conserving the basin environmental resources for sustainability.
The Regional Rusumo Hydroelectric Power Switchyard
On the infrastructure Investment front, the NBI has facilitated the preparation of 84 investment projects worth USD 6.5 billion, and of these investments worth more than USD 1.3 billion have progressed to detailed preparation and implementation.
The Burundi component of the transmission lines runs 160 kilometers from Rusumo to Muyinga and onwards to the Gitega substations. The total investment cost for this Project is USD 500 million with financial support from the World Bank (USD 340 million) for power generation and the African Development Bank (USD 160 million) for transmission lines.
Synchronization of the energy grids of the three countries is complete and the trio can now trade power even beyond the project. Within the Project, USD 10 million worth of investments supported the local area program in Burundi targeting communities affected and those around the project development. Social services like Water supply systems, vocational training centers, Health centers, and community offices are in use. This Flagship project now awaits political commissioning by the Heads of State.
It is among other investment projects supported by various Development Partners that have been leveraged through NBI to earnest the Nile Basin Water resource potential into transformative projects for socio-economic development in the Nile Basin countries bringing ripple effect benefits beyond the basin like power trade.
There are several ongoing Pipeline projects Investment Portfolio in Water, food, energy, and ecosystems, Management of environment, watersheds, groundwater, wetlands, dams and dam safety, Floods and droughts forecasting and early warning, Climate change mitigation, adaptation, and technology transfer to enhance country preparedness and resilience against shocks from climate change.
With consensus around new investment projects and funding, the scene is set for transformational change in the scale of those benefits for economic development for the Nile Basin countries.
Dr. Florence Grace Adongo, Executive Director of NBI also made remarks during the celebrations and said that the theme was timely, especially at a time when the global community has just concluded the UN Water Conference, 2023, SDG Summit, African Sanitation Conference, and 28th UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change.
Dr. Florence Grace Adongo, Executive Director of NBI made her remarks
All these high level global and continental conferences have recognized the need to accelerate progress on Water Agenda, and of relevance to this occasion is SDG 6.5.2 on transboundary cooperation.
According to Adongo strengthening transboundary water cooperation has been recognized worldwide as one of the key actions for the Water Action Decade (2018- 2028) to advance progress across sectors. “The theme will run and inspire the NBI operations throughout the year,” she said
Throughout the journey of 25 years, there have been successes, opportunities, and challenges with demonstrated resilience where the Nile Basin countries face key development challenges which relate to water security, energy security, food security, and vulnerability to shocks arising from negative impacts of climate change.
Demands for water throughout the region are constantly growing due to economic development and population growth given the threats and pressures the Nile River is to sustain, there is no alternative to regional cooperation. No one country can manage these challenges unilaterally.
“Coming together to find common solutions to these common problems in the Basin is crucial to ensure the equitable utilization and sustainable management of the Nile Basin water resources,” Adongo highlighted
However, over the 25 years, NBI has served as the only platform for dialogue, a catalyst for change, fostering regional integration, enhancing competitiveness, and unlocking the Nile Basin’s immense potential for Africa and beyond. Through unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of the Shared Vision of unity, cooperation, and progress, the laid foundation has translated into benefits.
Adong informed the celebrants that stakeholder engagement has been facilitated through various events and meetings where NBI has engaged more than 102,377 stakeholders and facilitated training for over 42,000 individuals including experts, interns, and journalists in a range of NBI facilitated training in areas of transboundary water diplomacy, negotiations, water resources planning, development, and management.
Journalists from Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda attended data journalism training during the 9th Nile Journalists Media Training in Rwanda and Tanzania from January 26th to February 3rd, 2024
NBI has also expanded stakeholder engagements from National, Basin wide, and Continental to International levels. The level of participation of Member countries and friends of the Nile in NBI regional events like the Nile Day and Nile Basin Development Forum (NBDF), a high level dialogue forum has increased.
The recent 7th NBDF held in Uganda registered more than 2,000 online and physical participants from all parts of the world. NBI is the current Chair of the Africa Network of Basins Organization establishing good relationships and Networks with the Regional Economic Commissions playing great roles within the Basin to harmonize operations, reinforce each other, and avoid duplication.
During the 7th NBDF held in Uganda
“The 25th Anniversary of NBI gives us a reason to be truly proud of our past and provides hope for the future of the Nile Basin and its citizens. With collective strength, ingenuity and resilience in pursuance of the Nile cooperation shared vision, strong commitment, and dedication, a lot more exciting opportunities are projected for the future,” the Executive Director mentioned
She promised that NBI will consolidate achievements, and align collective aspirations for cooperative management and development of the Nile Basin water resources. “It’s our belief that the next 25 years will be marked by even greater achievements, deeper cooperation, collaboration, and shared commitment to a brighter and harmonious future for all.
Adongo concluded by asking member states that making Nile Cooperation stronger and deeper requires a Permanent institution. There has been no possible success in attaining a Permanent Legal Institutional framework for Nile Cooperation in the last 25 years as some countries are yet to ratify or accede to the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement that will pave the way for the establishment of a permanent Institution, the Nile River Basin Commission.
Secondly, financing infrastructure development remains a significant hurdle, with an estimated investment of USD 6.5 billion required to implement priority actions in the medium term. Substantial financial and in kind commitments have been made through contributions from NBI Member States, International financial institutions, and other sources.
“This is highly commendable and deeply appreciated. Sustained commitments and obligations of Nile Basin Member States to support the NBI institution through country contributions are paramount,” she added.
She also urged those Member States that are yet to meet their financial obligations to NBI to do so. “I call upon our esteemed Development partners to continue supporting NBI’s noble course.”
She also called upon all Member countries to work together tirelessly, engage and expand partnerships, and deepen cooperation to earnest the Nile Basin water potential and benefits accruing from and beyond the Nile River for a great future.
“We are stronger together. NBI will continue to stand for transparency, teamwork, integrity, professionalism, innovation, and respect for diversity.”
On 22nd February 1999, while in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Council of Ministers responsible for Water Affairs from the 10 riparian countries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda with Eritrea as an observer, through collective wisdom and foresight, established the Nile Basin Initiative to foster cooperation and sustainable development of the Nile River.
Inspired by the Shared Vision Objective, ‘to achieve sustainable socio-economic development, through the equitable utilization of, and benefit from, the common Nile Basin water resources.’’, the Nile Council of Ministers laid a foundation for NBI that has evolved into a beacon of hope and inspirations for many.
Since 2006, the 22nd of February of every year is commemorated as Nile Day.
Recommended for you
