Just water transitions in Egypt: civil society and equitable irrigation management

Eldabbagh, Fayrouz; Abdelwahab, Noura. 2025. Just water transitions in Egypt: civil society and equitable irrigation management. Cairo, Egypt: American University in Cairo. Alternative Policy Solutions. 24p.

This policy paper examines pathways for achieving water justice in Egypt through equitable and efficient agricultural water management, focusing on the roles of civil society organizations (CSOs) and Water Users Associations (WUAs). Grounded in environmental justice literature and stakeholder consultations, the study defines water justice through two key dimensions: distributive justice, which entails fair access to water quantity, quality, and affordability while preventing overexploitation; and procedural justice, which emphasizes participatory policymaking channels for WUAs and CSOs. The analysis identifies six critical challenges: unequal water access (quantity and quality) in vulnerable regions, poor community water management, aging irrigation infrastructure and limited adoption of innovations, fragmented governance, inadequate law enforcement, and limited financing for irrigation improvements.

To address these challenges, the paper proposes a phased approach. In the short term (over two years), it recommends strengthening WUAs’ institutional capacity through training in managing irrigation operations and management, water use monitoring, conflict resolution, administration, and finance. Medium-term solutions pilot blended finance that combine commercial loans with output-based aid, alongside public-private partnerships to fund climate-smart irrigation technologies. These interventions aim to enhance WUAs’ operational capabilities (“power within”) and financial access (“power to”) while modernizing irrigation systems.

For long-term systemic change, the paper advocates revitalizing joint water governance committees at the governorate level to coordinate water allocation based on cropping patterns, climate needs, and market demands. Additionally, it proposes forming a civic advisory mechanism under Egypt’s Inter-ministerial Water Council, incorporating CSOs and WUA representatives to align water governance with the Sustainable Development Goals. This multi-level strategy seeks to transform irrigation management by balancing equitable distribution (distributive justice) with inclusive decision-making (procedural justice), ultimately supporting agricultural livelihoods while advancing climate resilience and food security objectives.