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
- MAP: Hydropower Dams in Sub-Saharan AfricaFrench below/ Version Française plus bas Only one-third of rivers remain free-flowing, largely due to dams. Globally, large hydropower dams have displaced up to 80 million people and compromised the … Read more
- PRESS RELEASE | Namibia at an Energy Crossroads: continue relying on climate-risky hydropower or harness its abundant and cost-effective renewablesTMP Public electricity sector assessment demonstrates that solar and wind represent the least-cost pathway to meeting Namibia’s current and future energy demand FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2023 Media contacts: … Read more
- Mapping Community Protocols with Himba Leaders – Part TwoBy Aqeelah Hassen, Africa Program Communications and Campaigner International Rivers, Natural Justice, Himba community committee members and two researchers from the Kunene region convened in Windhoek, Namibia for the second … Read more
- Protecting Rights of the Himba Indigenous Community and Kunene River through Community Protocolsby Siziwe Mota, International Rivers Africa Program Director of International Rivers and introduction by Nalori Chakma, South Asia Senior Programme Coordinator, Transboundary Rivers of South Asia Introduction Globally, Indigenous rights … Read more