DHI Expands Technical Water Partnerships Across Africa
The firm is integrating hydrological modelling into basin management to meet 2028 climate resilience targets.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Environmental
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DHI is advancing its commitment to the UN Water Action Agenda through technical partnerships focused on hydrological modelling and climate resilience. The organization has formalized agreements with three major African river basin authorities since 2023 to improve water resource management.
Why it matters
By providing standardized hydrological data and modeling frameworks, DHI aims to improve the evidence base for water infrastructure decisions. This approach bridges the gap between research and operational planning for regional basin authorities and municipal governments.
The CREATES programme supports these efforts with a total budget of EUR 40 million. Projects include hydrological modelling for the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River and climate-change adaptation studies across 12 municipalities in São Paulo, Brazil.
The players
DHI
An international advisory firm specializing in hydrological modelling, water resources, and climate-change adaptation software.
Nile Basin Initiative
An intergovernmental partnership of riparian states focused on the cooperative management and development of the Nile River.
UNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme, which has maintained a 30-year technical partnership with DHI.
The details
DHI delivers technical cooperation through Memoranda of Understanding—formal documents outlining collaborative research and data sharing—with regional basin organizations. It secures these projects through competitive procurement and by mobilizing external financing with international partners. These efforts centralize disparate environmental data, allowing local water authorities to run simulation models for infrastructure planning and salinity management.
Timeline
2013: DHI joined the UN Global Compact.
2023: DHI made a formal commitment to the UN Water Action Agenda.
2024: The agreement with the Gambia River Basin Development Organisation was signed.
2025: The agreement with the Nile Basin Initiative was signed.
2026: The agreement with the Mono Basin Authority was signed.
The Tech Race
DHI is scaling its technical advisory footprint to align with the global objectives of the UN Water Action Agenda. This strategy competes with broader international development efforts to standardize climate-resilient water infrastructure across Africa and South America.
These projects influence regional water availability and flood resilience by providing local governments with advanced simulation data for infrastructure upgrades. Municipalities like those in Tunisia and Argentina are using these frameworks to plan for climate-driven changes in water supply.
The takeaway
DHI is methodically building a network of data-driven basin management partnerships to meet its 2028 targets. Observers should track the upcoming cooperation agreement with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory as a key milestone for expanding technical coverage in Northern Africa.
What happens next
DHI plans to reach a total of 10 engaged river basin organizations and 10 cities by March 2028.
Further reading
Learn more about global water management trends in our Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Water Diplomat.
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