Africa’s great rivers have nourished some of the world’s most significant civilizations. They have shaped the rhythm of life for untold generations of riparian peoples, linking cultures across political borders.

Unfortunately, from the Nile to the Zambezi, many of these rivers have been dammed, diverted, dredged and polluted in the name of meeting water and energy needs. This development has not only failed to meet these needs, it has caused catastrophic social, environmental and economic damage.
Our Work in African River Basins
Africa deserves a just energy transition that maintains the vital free-flowing rivers that nourish its unique biodiversity and enable transportation, farming and fishing.
With our partners, the Africa Program works to promote sustainable solutions for meeting food, water and energy needs and to ensure that local communities, and women in particular, have a voice in decisions affecting their rivers.
River Basins
Related Resources
Latest Updates
- Inga 3: Too High a Cost for both South Africa and the DRC (French & English)By: Aqeelah Hassen, Africa Program On Thursday the 17th of February International Rivers with partners Womin, Femmes Solidaires (FESO) and Coalition des Organisations de la Société Civile pour le Suivi…
- Press Release | South Africa’s energy crisis: New study confirms Inga 3 hydropower would cost South Africans an extra R10 billion per yearToday, International Rivers and WoMin African Alliance published a new report, INGA 3: Too High a Cost – A study of the Socio-Economic Costs of the Inga 3 Dam for…
- STATEMENT | Fortescue Metals Group’s Plan to Develop Grand Inga Hydro Scheme Won’t Deliver Green Energy for DRCInternational Rivers expresses its profound concerns over the announcement that Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) has entered into an agreement with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to…
- PRESS RELEASE | South Africa and DRC plan to press ahead with Inga 3 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemicFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Democratic Republic of Congo has just concluded a week-long conference on the beleaguered Grand Inga Dam Project, restating the commitment from South Africa to purchase 5000MW…