From 13 to 17 October 2025, Musanze, Rwanda, became the training hub for hydrology experts from 11 countries across the Nile Basin and Greater Horn of Africa.
The World Meteorological Organization, the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) jointly organized a regional workshop on the application of standard and innovative methods in streamflow measurements and data analysis.
Supported by the Water at the Heart of Climate Action (WHCA) Project, CREWS East Africa , CREWS Horn of Africa and Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through GIZ, the workshop strengthened regional capacity for hydrological monitoring - vital for forecasting floods and droughts that threaten communities and ecosystems.
More than 20 specialists from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda participated, together with representatives from the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), the WMO HydroHub Think Tank and hydrometric equipment partners.
Participants combined classroom sessions with field demonstrations on the Mukungwa River and Nyamukongoro Stream, comparing traditional and innovative techniques such as Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs), current meters, Flow Trackers and non-contact image-based surface velocimetry using cameras. The collected data were analyzed using advanced software tools, comparing results from these different measurement techniques. The results confirmed that emerging technologies can enhance data collection and quality while improving safety and efficiency in challenging conditions.
The workshop concluded with industry demonstrations by Sommer and SEBA Hydrometrie, showcasing the latest hydrometric technologies and providing guidance on calibration and maintenance.
The workshop closed with a series of recommendations, including regular capacity-building programmes, the integration of innovative technologies, the establishment of standardized procedures, and the promotion of regional data sharing. Participants also proposed the creation of a dedicated communication platform to sustain collaboration and knowledge exchange. This platform will support the sharing technical experiences, training opportunities, and innovative solutions in hydrometry.
The success of the workshop marks a significant step towards building a modern, sustainable hydrological monitoring system for the Nile Basin and Greater Horn of Africa, with strengthened technical capacity.
The knowledge and skills gained are expected to ripple across the region, as participants apply them in their respective countries.
