WB MDTF CIWA 2018-2026 Cooperation in International Waters in Africa Phase II

The World Bank Trustfund “Cooperation on International Waters in Africa (CIWA)” is going to be extended with a period of 5 years until 2026. While the extension takes the form of a no-cost extension to allow existing donors not yet ready to commit new funds to remain engaged, the intention is also to enable CIWA to raise funds to reach its initially set target of USD 200 million. The Fund’s current total value is USD 93 million, 35 308 689 of which (or 284 million SEK) have been contributed by Sweden since 2012. Sweden has support the fund since its inception in 2012 and one decsion on contribution and two decisions to add funds have been taken. Other donors include the Netherlands, the UK, The EU, Denmark and Norway. To date, almost all funds paid into CIWA have been allocated to pipeline, hence planning of new activities will depend on new resources coming in to the fund. The Netherlands recently announced that it will be appraising an additional contribution of USD 20 million in the latter half of 2018 and the WB is also fund-raising with new donors.The current agreement amendment will increase Sida’s support to CIWA with another 100 MSEK to a total of 384 MSEK and extend the support to 2026. The funding is channeled through a World Bank Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), of which 75% is recipient executed and 25% is executed by the World Bank, but according to the Trust Fund Assurance Framework 3013 all funds must be programmed according to World Bank guidelines.CIWA was established for a 10-year period (2011-21). An independent mid-term review of the program in 2015 found that CIWA’s objectives remained highly relevant, its basic operational approach was sound, and made several specific recommendations to strengthen the program, which are now largely implemented. Sweden has supported CIWA since 2012, and has over the years seen the program deliver good results. The program seems to be on target or over performing against most of its intermediate level indicators. It has a good fit with the Swedish Strategy for SSA, and Sida is therefore interested in CIWA’s possibility to continue and expand operation. CIWA’s objective is to strengthen cooperative water resources management and development to enable sustainable, climate resilient economic growth in Africa. CIWA helps countries take advantage of opportunities as it advances investments in basin-wide information systems, in institutions for cooperation and coordination or in infrastructure with transboundary impact that can store surplus waters, protect against floods, generate hydropower, promote food security, and enhance resilience in the face of climate change. CIWA also assist riparian States to manage risk as it promotes countries’ awareness of their interdependencies and helps them strike a better balance in their decision-making between sovereign and collective considerations. This is becoming increasingly important as communities across Africa increasingly compete for scarce fresh water resources. CIWA support serves sometimes to control damage, sometimes to identify win-wins, sometimes to break deadlock and sometimes to level the playing field for decision-making, strengthening weaker states to negotiate on more equal terms with more powerful neighbours. CIWA uses a three-pronged approach to deliver results, employing strategies to strengthen and enhance the “three i’s”: institutions, information, and infrastructure. CIWA operates through recipient executed and bank executed modalities. CIWA does this through two sub programs:The Basin sub program is for long-term (5-10 years) engagement with priority basins (so far, the Niger, Nile, Volta and Zambezi have been prioritized), it should enable steady progress towards cooperation by strengthening foundational elements such as data, agreements, institutions, and investment and operation plans. This program is to consume about 90% of CIWA funding.