We are thrilled to congratulate Abraham Nunbogu on his recent contribution to the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) report, “Women in African Water Leadership: Numbers Don’t Lie.” This important piece of research, now featured on the UNU website, sheds critical light on one of the most pressing issues facing Africa’s future: the gender imbalance in water leadership.
Water is the backbone of development, and leadership in this sector shapes everything from access to safe drinking water and sanitation to climate resilience and economic growth. Yet, as the UNU research reveals, leadership positions across Africa’s water ministries, transboundary organizations, and academic institutions remain overwhelmingly dominated by men. Abraham, along with his co-authors, not only documents these gaps but also calls for urgent action to ensure women are equally represented in the spaces where water policy and practice are shaped.
The findings are striking. Only 17% of national water and sanitation ministries in Africa are headed by women. Out of eleven major transboundary water organizations, bodies that govern shared rivers and lakes across borders, just one is led by a woman. In academia, where the next generation of water leaders are trained, the story is no different: only about 13% of universities offering water science programs are led by women. Such numbers are more than statistics, they represent the lived reality of systemic exclusion and missed opportunities for inclusive governance.
The barriers identified in the report are equally sobering. Traditional gender biases, lack of access to technical education, weak mentorship networks, and opaque recruitment and promotion practices all play a role in holding women back. These obstacles not only harm women’s professional growth but also slow progress toward water security and sustainable development for everyone.
But the report, and his voice within it, do more than diagnose the problem — they point toward solutions. Recommendations include introducing gender quotas alongside robust mentorship programs, expanding scholarships and training opportunities for women in water science, ensuring recruitment and promotion are transparent, and strengthening regional networks that prioritize gender equity. Encouragingly, some countries are already taking steps. Kenya’s Water Services Regulatory Board, for example, has introduced rules requiring at least 33% female representation on utility boards, while Uganda’s National Water and Sewerage Corporation has launched targeted leadership programs for women.
Abraham Nunbogu's involvement in this work is a milestone worth celebrating. His contribution brings visibility to the urgency of addressing Africa’s water leadership gap and emphasizes the role of research in driving real change. By amplifying these findings, he helps push the conversation beyond data and into action. We encourage everyone to take the time to read the full article on UNU’s website. With leaders like Abraham raising awareness and advocating for inclusive solutions, there is hope that Africa’s water sector can become more representative, equitable, and effective.