Launched in 2020 under the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme, the African Water Resources Mobility Network (AWaRMN) grew from a shared concern: Africa’s water challenges require stronger skills, deeper cooperation and closer links between knowledge and practice. Over five years, the project brought together universities and experts across the continent to build lasting capacity in water resources management. Through transdisciplinary learning and exchange, students and staff were able to work across disciplines, cultures, and institutions, strengthening research environments and opening pathways for applied, policy-relevant solutions. Mobility scheme created spaces for mutual learning - not only in classrooms and laboratories, but also within university systems - helping institutions learn from one another and strengthen internationalisation. The project also laid out the groundwork for more aligned education systems and longer-term academic cooperation, while fostering collaboration that translated shared expertise into practical innovation. These relationships continue beyond the project duration through initiatives such as the Future Earth Water Science cluster within the Future Earth Africa Hub framework. Together, the African Water Resources Mobility Network’s achievements reflect a shift towards more connected, resilient, and collaborative approaches to water governance, in line with the ambitions of the Global Gateway initiatives. Learn more about the projectProgramme: Intra-Africa Academic Mobility SchemeBack to the 20 years page to discover other project stories
