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H.E. Habtamu Itefa
Minister of Water and Energy
Leads Ethiopia's water sector strategy and international transboundary negotiations. Former Deputy Minister with 20+ years in water governance.
About · Ethiopia IWRM
Integrated Water Resources Managementin Ethiopia
A coordinated national approach to water — one that balances economic development, ecosystem health, and the rights of every community downstream.
Ethiopia holds approximately 122 billion cubic meters of renewable surface water annually, making it one of Africa's water towers. The country manages 12 major river basins spanning diverse agro-ecological zones from highland plateaus to arid lowlands.
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Ethiopia is guided by the National Water Policy (1999), the Water Sector Development Program, and the IWRM National Action Plan. The approach coordinates across water supply, irrigation, hydropower, environment, and climate resilience — balancing economic development with ecosystem sustainability.
The Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) leads IWRM implementation through the National Water and Integrated Resources Management (NWIRM) program, supported by basin authorities, regional water bureaus, and international development partners including the World Bank, African Development Bank, GIZ, and USAID.
IWRM · Ethiopia
Three pillars hold the system together
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Enabling Environment
Policy, legal framework, and financing that make coordinated water management possible.
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Institutional Roles
MoWE, Basin Authorities, Regional Bureaus, and Water User Associations working in concert.
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Management Instruments
Basin plans, water allocation, monitoring, and national data systems for evidence-led decisions.
Leadership & Team
The People Behind Ethiopia's Water Future
The public servants, scientists, and coordinators driving IWRM from policy to practice across twelve basins and every region.