Maximizing synergies between state and non‐state actors to enhance water governance in the Cubango‐Okavango River basin

Abstract

AbstractThe inherent complexity of governing transboundary social–ecological systems like the Cubango‐Okavango River Basin (CORB) has given rise to various governance frameworks like integrated water resource management (IWRM) and adaptive governance. While these may work in theory and some specific contexts, current discordance between formal (state) and informal (non‐state) governance systems, especially at the local level, still exists, resulting in significant inequities regarding water resource allocation, use, and sustainability. This research, therefore, is crucial in understanding why the disconnects between state and non‐state actors might be present in current governance arrangements and how they influence decision‐making processes linked to equitable and sustainable water governance. Through a mixed‐method, qualitative approach, this paper aimed to examine how state and non‐state actors influence water governance in the CORB from a Namibian perspective and explore current challenges and opportunities in governance structures to understand strategic intervention points for enhancing more just and sustainable governance outcomes. Data was collected from 63 participants through semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews, and an actor‐mapping questionnaire to understand key actors involved in the Namibian portion of the CORB and to determine the critical networks and relationships between them for enhancing water governance in the basin. Embedded within a grounded theory approach, thematic analysis was used to analyze data using Atlas.ti; a descriptive analysis was used to graphically organize, summarize, and present field data using Microsoft Excel; and a narrative analysis documented the participants' personal stories of water governance. The study identified key water governance breakdown points between state and non‐state actors, including resource grabs and inadequate bottom‐up approaches. The study further found that the active participation of non‐state actors in the water governance of the CORB is imperative for maximizing contextualized synergies between state and non‐state actors in transboundary water governance.