The Sio-Malaba-Malakisi sub-basin with a population of 4 million people is endowed with abundant natural resources which present tremendous potential for social economic development.

In order to ensure country driven multi-sector and basinwide approach to multipurpose infrastructure projects including fisheries production, irrigation development NELSAP is coordinating Nile Basin member countries to design, structure and package in-country and trans-boundary priority investment projects under the Nile Equatorial Lakes Investment Programme (NELIP).

The Lakes Edward and Albert are part of the Rift Valley lakes shared between the D.R Congo and Uganda, with a combined basin area of 57,924 km2 – of which 33,452 km2 is in the George-Edward-Semliki sub-basin and 24,472 km2 in the Lake Albert sub-basin.

ENIDS Supports the development and expansion of more efficient irrigation systems to improve the productivity of small- and large-scale agriculture, which will lead to food security, rural employment opportunities, and a reduction in poverty

The project’s overall goal is to reduce human suffering caused by frequent flooding while preserving the environmental benefits of floods. The long-term goal is to establish a comprehensive regional approach for flood management

Joint decisions taken by Nile Basin officials on matters relating to water resources management and development are the primary way in which countries signal their interest in the utilisation of cooperative mechanisms.

The Nile is 6,695 kilometres long, making it the longest river on earth. Its catchment area covers around a tenth of the surface of Africa and is home to almost a quarter of the African population. For these people, the river is by far the most important source of freshwater in the region.

The Nile and its most important tributaries flow through several large wetland areas that are vital for biodiversity in the region. These wetlands provide important local and regional ecosystem services regulating the level and quality of water for downstream areas, ensuring the livelihoods of the local population, etc.

The interaction between groundwater and surface water systems (rivers, wetlands, lakes) has not been adequately considered in most trans-boundary river basin management initiatives, including the Nile basin.

The Akanyaru Multipurpose Water Resources Development Project that will be shared between Burundi and Rwanda is located on the trans-boundary Akanyaru River. Akanyaru River is part of the Kagera River Basin that forms part of the Lake Victoria Basin.

The Angololo Water Resources Development Project (AWDP) is located on the trans-boundary Malaba River that is between Kenya and Uganda and it falls within the Sio-Malaba Malakisi (SMM) River Basin within the Lake Victoria sub basin.