The water ministers of Nile Riparian countries recently paid a visit to GERD as part of the assessment on how the waters of the Nile could be used for generating hydroelectric power which could be shared among the riparian countries. The author decided to share some concepts and ideas on how media and communication outlets in the region could positively influence the possibility of using Nile waters for shared development for the countries of the region.
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) is an intergovernmental partnership established to promote cooperation and sustainable management of the Nile River among the riparian (bordering) countries. It provides a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and joint development of water resources to benefit all member states.
Established in 1999, the NBI serves as a regional institution that fosters equitable water resource management among the 11 Nile Basin countries. Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Eritrea (observer). Burundi, Kenya, Egypt have yet to ratify the NBI. The major goals of the NBI included Promoting sustainable and equitable use of Nile water resources, enhancing hydropower generation, irrigation, and water conservation as well as strengthening regional cooperation and prevent conflicts over water use.
The NBI Commission serves as the technical and executive body responsible for overseeing the implementation of NBI projects and policies. It comprises experts and representatives from member states who assess policies, projects, and initiatives related to the Nile. The Commission works closely with the NBI Secretariat, which is headquartered in Entebbe, Uganda.
The NBI Commission ensures that NBI programs are scientifically sound, economically viable, and politically acceptable to all member states.
The Nile Council of Ministers (Nile-COM) is the highest decision-making body of the NBI. It consists of water ministers from each of the Nile Basin countries
The Council formulates policies and makes high-level political decisions on water resource management. It also approves regional projects and investment programs under the NBI framework and facilitates dialogue on trans-boundary water-sharing agreements.
Key initiatives of the NBI include Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) – Focuses on water and energy development in upstream countries. Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program (ENSAP) – Works on water-sharing, irrigation, and hydropower projects in Eastern Nile countries.
Nile Basin Sustainability Framework (NBSF) – Guides environmental, social, and economic sustainability across NBI projects.
The NBI, NBI Commission, and NBI Council play crucial roles in managing the Nile’s water resources through cooperation, sustainable development, and conflict prevention. However, continued political dialogue, equitable resource-sharing, and infrastructure investment are needed for long-term success.
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and the Nile Council of Ministers (Nile Council) are essential platforms for cooperation among Nile riparian countries. The media plays a critical role in promoting these initiatives by facilitating awareness, diplomacy, and collaboration. A special emphasis is to be given to raising public awareness in which educating citizens in Nile Basin countries about the significance of the NBI in managing and sharing water resources equitably. Informing communities about sustainable water use, conservation, and climate change adaptation to ensure long-term benefits from the Nile by employing both public and commercial media outlets. Promoting regional cooperation through various communication networks and media outlets helps to establish common narratives on the priorities of using the Nile water resources for common development projects.
Media acts as a bridge between governments, experts, and the public, ensuring transparency in NBI activities. Highlighting success stories of water resource projects, infrastructure development, and hydroelectric initiatives like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Media houses and communication firms need to focus on the general strategies which would help to cover the issues and events related to the Nile River. Given its location on the heart of the Horn of Africa and its geostrategic and geopolitical and hydrological politics the Nile a complex set of views and priorities.
Media outlets in the 11 riparian countries and more particularly in the Eastern Nile region need to encourage constructive discussions among Nile countries to prevent conflicts over water use.
They can play a positive and constructive role by broadcasting official statements, policy updates, and negotiations to ensure that diplomatic engagements remain in the public domain. Media and communication centers can render immense contributions in disseminating accurate, balance and verifiable information from authentic sources
The media in the region should devise workable strategies that would help to counter misinformation and political manipulation particularly on social media outlets. Addressing false narratives and fear-mongering about water control and usage among Nile Basin countries by using authentic facts that will be accepted by the populations in the region ought to be one of the major tasks of the media in the Nile Riparian Countries. In this respect, it is important to provide fact-based reporting on international agreements, treaties, and legal frameworks regarding the Nile.
Disseminating information on NBI policies, treaties, and agreements helps to create public and governmental accountability, promoting scientific research and innovations in water management to help policymakers make informed decisions. Encouraging civil society participation in protecting and efficiently using Nile water resources is one of the tasks expected from media houses.
The media serves as a powerful tool for diplomatic engagement, transparency, and regional cooperation in the Nile Basin. By promoting the objectives of the NBI and Nile Council, media outlets can help foster mutual understanding and sustainable water governance among the riparian nations.
Media narratives surrounding the Nile River vary based on regional, national, and international perspectives. These narratives are shaped by political, economic, environmental and historical factors. Below are some of the major types of media narratives.
Conflict narratives focus on disputes over water rights, dam construction, and hydro-politics. Often frames the Nile as a source of geopolitical tension and potential conflict. Used by media outlets to emphasize nationalistic sentiments and water security concerns. Example includes Egyptian media portraying GERD as a threat to Egypt’s water supply.
Cooperation Narrative highlights regional agreements, diplomatic efforts, and water-sharing negotiations, Promotes dialogue-based solutions through initiatives like the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), Encourages joint economic projects, scientific collaborations, and climate resilience efforts, Coverage of negotiations between Nile Basin countries to find equitable water-sharing solutions and Reports on agreements for joint irrigation, hydroelectric, and agricultural projects.
Development Narrative presents the Nile as a driver of economic growth, energy production and agriculture as well as a tool for economic transformation. It focuses on the role of hydroelectric dams, irrigation projects, and industrial development in improving livelihoods. Some of the examples include Ethiopian media emphasizing GERD’s benefits for electricity generation and regional development. Reports on how the Nile’s resources can be used for poverty reduction and food security.
Media Manipulation and Propaganda Narrative is one of the media narratives disseminated on the Nile River. Some governments and media outlets use the Nile issue to promote political agendas. It frames other countries as threats while presenting their own nation as a victim defender of national interests. It is often seen in state-controlled media in Nile Basin countries. For instance, Egyptian state media portraying Ethiopia as blocking Egypt’s natural water rights while Ethiopian media emphasizing GERD as a sovereign project that does not harm downstream nations.
The Nile River is not just a geographical entity but a symbol of power, development, and survival for millions. The media plays a key role in shaping public perception, national policies, and diplomatic relations among Nile Basin countries. Balanced reporting and scientific, evidence-based narratives are essential to promote cooperation and prevent conflict. As Ethiopia is one of the leading countries in implementing the lofty goals of collective and equitable utilization of the waters of the Nile, both commercial and public media outlets need to scale up the level of their reporting on the practical activities of the implementation of the joint projects on the Nile.
They need to emphasize on strategic issues instead of confining themselves only to short term news reporting. They need to work on myths, biases and misconceptions that would do a disservice on the smooth implementation of projects conducted under the guidance of the Nile Commission. The editorial policies of these media outlets need to include priorities, common needs, interests and the challenges that may surface up.
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 MARCH
