Integrated Watershed Management Project that Benefits Millions on Abay, Awash and Tekeze Basins Launched

Addis Ababa, April 8, 2025 (ENA)—A joint integrated watershed management project designed to improve water resource management, livelihood of communities, and resilience to climate risks on the Abay (Blue Nile), Awash, and Tekeze river basins was officially launched today.

The project would be implemented by the Water and Land Resource Center, a research and development institution, together with Ministry of Water and Energy.

Speaking on the occasion, Water and Energy State Minister Abraha Adugna said the BRIGHT (Basin Management Support for Resilient, Inclusive Growth and Harmonized Transformation) project is designed to improve the livelihood of communities in the project areas and water resource management.

According to him, the project will strengthen institutional capacity and implementation of integrated climate smart water resource management solutions, ultimately benefiting millions of people and supporting efforts towards the attainment of sustainable development goals.

In addition, the project would promote the implementation of integrated water resource management practices through strengthening the technical, institutional and infrastructural capacities of the ministry and its regional bureaus, basin administrative offices, and other key stakeholders.

On his part, Water and Land Resource Center Director-General, Gete Zeleke said the project will establish a comprehensive basin information system to improve availability, accessibility and use of water resource data need for evidence based decision making related to water resource management to manage water resources efficiently and sustainably.

The project is structured into 6 main work packages and 9 sub-packages, covering key areas such as policy and regulatory development, capacity development, infrastructure improvement and the creation of knowledge sharing platforms, creating a robust foundation for the long term sustainable management of water resources of Ethiopia.

The five-year 45 million Euro project financed by the Netherlands and the EU includes Rift Valley Lakes, Omo-Gibe basins in addition to Abay, Awash, and Tekeze basins.