TIGER initiative

THE International Water Management Institute recently reported that more people on earth experience economic water scarcity than actual physical water scarcity. Economic water scarcity just means there’s a lack of investment in water or lack of capacity for authorities to satisfy water demand. Africa faces some of the biggest problems with regards to blue gold compared to the rest of the world: with the rapid population growth and urbanization, a lack of efficient water supply and low levels of wastewater treatment are some of the concerns.One of the challenges of this century is achieving sustainability of current and future water resource allocation – striking a balance between our needs as a growing populace and that of protecting the environment.A toast to the Rwandan authorities for increasing water access over the past few years; in line with the national policy that supports water provision through various efforts. But today is not only about Rwanda…In 2002 the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the TIGER initiative to facilitate tailored water resource management in Africa using earth observation technology.Africa could finally participate in the global Earth Observing system whereby various stages of the hydrological cycle are monitored using geostationary satellites. It was about time, wouldn’t you say?There is a knowledge gap in water management in Africa, which translates into inadequate information and lack of appropriate frameworks to address water ‘issues’. It is paramount for African policy makers to analyze and construct water management solutions before a significant water crisis is in their hands.The TIGER project engages institutions like universities as well as technical and water authorities of different African countries by providing data that empowers them to better monitor and manage water resources from various facets such as water quality, groundwater assessment, flooding patterns, wetland use and soil moisture.Effective water management means improved food security and, therefore, political and economic security.Another benefit is in the energy generation. Hydropower potential is closely linked to how water resources are managed – something that many of us don’t realize. Two things stand out to me when I think about the TIGER project: it was a long time coming but now that it is here, let no drop go to waste.The other question is, how long before we don’t need a European agency to monitor and collect data on our water resources?