South Africa

South Africa’s landscapes range from savannas and grasslands to semi-arid deserts and coastal ecosystems. It faces environmental challenges such as water scarcity, particularly in the western and central regions, as well as air pollution, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. With the majority of South Africa’s land classified as arid or semi-arid, effective water management and sustainable land use is crucial for the country’s long-term environmental and economic stability.

IWMI in South Africa

IWMI has been actively involved in a range of impactful projects in South Africa. They address key issues such as climate resilience, digital innovation, gender equality, water governance, inclusive community participation in water planning, and sustainable resource management.

IWMI also works on integrating water, energy, and food systems, fostering cross-sectoral solutions to address resource scarcity and enhance sustainability. We support agricultural resilience by tackling the interconnected challenges of water scarcity and soil degradation. IWMI’s policy support initiatives provide data and insights to improve water management and agricultural outcomes.

Through the development of strategies to mitigate the risks of extreme weather events, IWMI ensures that communities and farmers are better equipped to cope with the impacts of climate change. Through these initiatives, IWMI is driving sustainable development and improving resource management in South Africa.

Country representative

Henry Roman

Henry Roman

Country Representative – South Africa

Projects in South Africa

Latest South Africa news

The vital role of safe spaces in agriculture research  

How a gender-transformative methodology applied in Malawi evolved into a research tool for inclusive innovation adoption and responsible scaling …

Who sustains water infrastructure after the ribbon is cut?

In South Africa, strong community and municipal collaboration keeps water services reliable beyond construction and opening ceremonies …

Africa’s power plants are set for expansion by 2030, with renewables’ share growing from 19% to 34%

An IWMI open-access spatial inventory maps current and future power plants across Africa and projects energy, water and carbon implications …

Three tools, one river basin and a question every digital project should ask

IWMI applies an equitability framework to ask whether three digital tools in the Limpopo River Basin serve all users, and what it takes to close the gap …

Latest South Africa publications

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Report

Comprehensive Guidelines for Capacity Building for Irrigation Managers in Water Management within Modern Irrigation Technologies

International Water Management Institute | June 3rd, 2026
Zemadim, Birhanu; Oke, Adebayo; Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel; Admasu, Zeleke; Choruma, Dennis Junior; Dickson, Jonathan; Nzeyimana, Valere; Hafeez, Mohsin
Open Access
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Journal Article

Systematic Evidence Mapping of Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation in Informal Settlements in South Africa

SAGE Publications | May, 2026
Okem, Andrew E.; Osei-Amponsah, Charity; Ettang, Dorcas; Roberts, Debra C.
Open Access
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Journal Article

Operational Sentinel-2 System for Monthly Near‑real‑time Irrigated Area Mapping in the Limpopo River Basin

Springer | March 26th, 2026
Kiala, Zolo; Matheswaran, Karthikeyan; Dickens, Chris; Garcia Andarcia, Mariangel; Ludwig, Fulco; Ghosh, Surajit
Open Access