Benefit-sharing framework in transboundary river basins: the case of the Eastern Nile Sub Basin

In some parts of the world, including Africa, problems related to water scarcity and water stress (which is even worse) is evident. Currently, about one-third of the African population is experiencing water scarcity. For countries sharing transboundary rivers, the adoption of water governance in all their strategies is of paramount importance. For this to happen, cooperation among riparian states becomes indispensable. Cooperation can help in availing more water in the basin, reducing soil erosion, mitigating drought and ensuring food security. At present, there is more emphasis on the sharing of transboundary benefits rather than physical water per se. Whereas the former can bring about a zero-sum negotiation the latter can yield a positive sum outcome. The benefits that can be accrued through cooperation could be economic, environmental, social and political. The aim of this study is to highlight the concept of benefit sharing and benefit-sharing framework in general terms as well as in the context of the Eastern Nile Subbasin. By doing so, the study looks into some of the ongoing and planned Eastern Nile projects, with particular emphasis on the Joint Multipurpose Program (JMP), to test the degree of relevance of the issue of the benefit- sharing framework and to suggest the way forward. The findings of the study have indicated that benefit sharing in transboundary river basins is an outcome of a collaborative effort by the co-riparian states to reduce costs and increase outputs. It could also mean the management of shared waters more efficiently and effectively across all sectors, so-called sectoral optimization. The effects and impacts of joint investments in both upstream and downstream states can yield a bundle of benefits including, but not restricted to, flood control, reduction of sedimentation, availability of more water in the basin and hydropower production. These, in turn, can ensure food security, mitigate drought and avail renewable energy. For transboundary rivers such as the Nile, attempts should be made to identify the typologies of benefits, aspects of benefit sharing, scenarios of benefit sharing, and the optimization/maximization of benefits. With the better management of ecosystems cooperation can provide ‘benefits to the river’; with cooperative management of shared rivers benefits can be accrued ‘from the river’ (e.g., increased food production and power); with the easing of tensions between riparian states costs ‘because of the river’ could be reduced; and with cooperation between riparian states leading to economic integration comes ‘benefits beyond the river’. In terms of aspects of benefit sharing, issues related to benefit sharing for whom, by whom and because of who need to be addressed. Similarly, scenarios of benefit sharing Benefit-Sharing Framework in Transboundary River Basins: The Case of the Eastern Nile Subbasin 233 CP 19 Project Workshop Proceedings should be considered as phases or time perspectives by anchoring short-term works of strengthening the hitherto existing riparian links, medium-term tracking and improvement of in-country and transborder institutional arrangements for resource use and cooperation, and long-term efforts on investment in basin-wide joint development and programs. Due to the prevalence of centuries of hydropolitical stalemates in the Nile Basin, costs ‘because of the river’ remained high. The lack of cooperation impeded many of the basin states to reap little or no benefits from the river. The establishment of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) in 1999 has been marked as a strong departure compared to its predecessors. The Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program (ENSAP) and with it the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO) have identified a number of projects, of which JMP stands out as one of the most significant ones. It aims to undertake multipurpose and multi-country programs of activities encompassing watershed and environmental management; and enhanced agricultural production and renewable energy. When this project gets grounded, it could mitigate natural resources degradation, alleviate poverty and enhance agricultural production. There is a possibility for the three Eastern Nile countries to accrue transboundary benefits. As things stand now, the three Eastern Nile countries need to first and foremost identify the bundle of benefits that can be generated from the project and then agree on the mechanisms by which they can realize the ‘equitable sharing of benefits’. They also need to formulate and sign a benefit-sharing treaty, develop a sound financial framework to realize the equitable sharing of benefits, costs and risks and the joint ownership of assets. Last but not least, the Eastern Nile countries should establish institutions that will manage benefit-sharing schemes and address issues such as mechanisms of delivering benefits.