Basin vision
An Aysha basin where modest but reliable water resources support border communities, transit corridors, and the protection of fragile dryland ecosystems.
Basin Plans · IWRM Framework
Twelve Basins. One Integrated Vision.
Ethiopia's water future is mapped across twelve major river basins, each with its own hydrology, communities, and challenges. Explore the integrated management plan for each basin — features, targets, and where we are today.
Select a basin
Far eastern lowlands · Somali
Aysha
- Catchment area
- 2,000 km²
- Annual yield
- < 0.2 BCM
- Plan implementation
- 14%
Key features
- Smallest basin by area in Ethiopia — 2,000 km² in the country's far east
- Arid drainage system shared along the Djibouti border
- Hosts a strategic transit corridor and railway link to Djibouti port
- Limited but locally vital springs and shallow groundwater
Thematic issues
- Very limited renewable water resources for any expanded use
- Cross-border water source management with Djibouti
- Pastoralist water security under increasing drought frequency
- Pressure from corridor settlements and transit-related demand
Key measures
- 01Map and protect all functional springs and shallow groundwater sources
- 02Develop a small-scale rainwater harvesting program for border communities
- 03Initiate technical dialogue with Djibouti on shared dryland aquifers
- 04Coordinate corridor water demand with Ethiopian Railways and corridor authorities
Key targets · progressive
- 2027In progress
Document and protect 100% of community springs in the basin
- 2030Planned
Provide harvested rainwater storage to 80% of border community households
- 2035Planned
Sign a technical cooperation note with Djibouti on shared resources
Challenges
- Very small renewable water budget limits any large-scale ambition
- Specialised hydrogeology in border zones requires bilateral cooperation
- Limited basin-level institutional presence in such a small geographic unit
Implementation status & updates
14%
- Current phase
- Baseline studies
- Last updated
- July 2025
Given the basin's small size, planning is being coordinated jointly with the Wabi Shebele Basin Office. Field surveys completed mid-2025 are informing a lightweight basin profile.
Institutions
Water Resources Management Platforms
Integrated basin management depends on the institutions that convene, decide, and act. Five platforms operate across Ethiopia's basins to align government, communities, partners, and technical experts.
- 12Members
River Basin Authorities
Role · Lead implementation of integrated basin plans
Federal authorities responsible for planning, allocating, and regulating water resources within each major basin. The Awash, Abbay, Omo-Gibe, and Rift Valley authorities are operational, with others being established.
- 36Members
Basin High Councils
Role · Multi-stakeholder governance and oversight
High-level basin councils convene federal ministries, regional bureaus, and civil society to oversee basin priorities, endorse plans, and resolve cross-jurisdictional water issues.
- 220Members
Stakeholder Forums
Role · Community and user-group engagement
Sub-basin and woreda-level forums bring together farmers, pastoralists, women's groups, industry, and local government to inform allocation and resolve day-to-day water disputes.
- 8Members
Inter-Ministerial Committee
Role · Federal policy alignment
Brings together MoWE, Agriculture, Finance, Environment, Health, and others to align water-sector decisions with national development, fiscal, and environmental priorities.
- 64Members
Technical Working Groups
Role · Specialist analysis and standards
Cross-institutional working groups on hydrology, irrigation, water quality, climate, and gender provide technical inputs to basin plans and national IWRM frameworks.
Documents
Basin Plan Resources
Foundational documents, manuals, and reports that guide integrated basin planning across Ethiopia. Final basin-specific plans will be added to this library as they are approved and published.
- Coming soon
National IWRM Framework
The overarching national framework for integrated water resources management in Ethiopia, setting out principles, institutional roles, and planning hierarchy.
PDF · 4.2 MB · 2023
- Coming soon
Basin Plan Preparation Manual
Step-by-step methodological guide for preparing an integrated basin plan, including stakeholder engagement, data requirements, and approval pathway.
PDF · 6.8 MB · 2024
- Coming soon
Hydromet & Water Quality Monitoring Guidelines
Standards for siting, operating, and maintaining hydrological and water-quality monitoring stations across the basin gauging network.
PDF · 2.1 MB · 2023
- Coming soon
Water Allocation & Permitting Guidelines
Procedures for volumetric allocation, abstraction permitting, and compliance monitoring under the Water Resources Management Proclamation.
PDF · 3.5 MB · 2024
- Coming soon
Basin Stakeholder Engagement Handbook
Practical handbook for basin authorities and councils on convening, consulting, and reporting back to basin-level stakeholders.
PDF · 1.8 MB · 2023
- Coming soon
Basin Plans Annual Implementation Report 2024
Annual progress report on integrated basin plan implementation across all twelve basins, with status indicators and forward-look priorities.
PDF · 9.4 MB · 2024