Sudan Water Sector Livelihoods Transforming Strategy (SWS-LTS) 2021 - 2031.

The Sudan Water Sector Livelihoods Transforming Strategy constitutes a comprehensive framework designed to unlock the full potential of Sudan’s water sector in order to achieve four overarching priorities: (1) eradicating hunger and poverty; (2) strengthening food security and livelihoods; (3) creating dignified employment opportunities, particularly for rural youth and women; and (4) promoting peace and domestic stability. The Strategy seeks to translate vision into measurable impact over the period 2021–2031 through three complementary transformative strategic plans: (1) the National Irrigation Transformation Plan (NITP); (2) the National Water Supply Transformation Plan (NWS-TP); and (3) the National Water Resources Management Transformation Plan (NWRM-TP). Through the implementation of these 3 transformative components, the ambition of SWS-LTS is to contribute to 4 key priorities of the Sudanese Government and the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources by 2031 (1) the establishment of an effective water resources management system equipped with the necessary instruments and institutional capacities to reduce disparities and inequalities within Sudan and promote cooperation with neighbouring countries; (2) improved access to adequate, affordable, and safe water supplies for all Sudanese people in both rural and urban areas, including nomadic communities and their livestock; (3) enhanced food security and improved livelihoods for approximately seven million members of Sudan’s farming and herding communities; and (4) the creation of dignified and sustainable employment opportunities for nearly two million Sudanese citizens, particularly rural youth and women.
The National Irrigation Transformation Plan (NITP) aims to address longstanding challenges in Sudan’s irrigated agriculture sector, including outdated infrastructure, weak institutions, and low water productivity. The Plan focuses on modernizing existing irrigated land, developing new irrigation schemes, and improving water efficiency through low-cost management measures. It also prioritizes institutional strengthening, capacity building, and the adoption of transparent and participatory governance frameworks. By implementing these interventions, the NITP seeks to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and create nearly 1.5 million employment opportunities, particularly for rural youth and women.
The National Water Supply Transformation Plan (NWS-TP) seeks to address the institutional, technical, and financial challenges that have led to inadequate and unsafe water services across Sudan. The Plan aims to improve public health, education, economic productivity, and social stability by expanding access to affordable and safely managed water supplies in both rural and urban areas. To achieve this, it proposes constructing, upgrading, and modernizing water supply facilities, while also creating employment opportunities. The NWS-TP further promotes a shift from fragmented humanitarian interventions to a coordinated, sustainable development approach grounded in stronger governance, planning, and intersectoral cooperation.
The National Water Resources Management Transformation Plan (NWRM-TP) aims to strengthen Sudan’s water governance system to support sustainable socioeconomic development and equitable water allocation. The Plan addresses institutional, technical, and governance challenges, including weak coordination, outdated infrastructure, limited data systems, and the growing impacts of climate change and water-related disasters. It promotes participatory and accountable water governance through institutional reform, catchment-based management, and alignment of policies and competencies between federal and state authorities. By adopting Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles, the NWRM-TP seeks to improve data coordination, enhance planning and oversight, and ensure sustainable and inclusive management of Sudan’s water resources.
The Strategy addresses some cross-cutting issues, emphasizing the integration of water quality protection, climate resilience, social inclusion, and humanitarian considerations into water governance and infrastructure planning. It promotes coordination among relevant institutions to monitor water quality, reduce contamination, and strengthen laboratory and regulatory capacities, while also incorporating climate change adaptation measures such as drought and flood contingency planning and improved water-use efficiency. It further seeks to ensure gender equality, accessibility for persons with disabilities, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups through participatory consultation processes and revised infrastructure standards. Finally, the Strategy recognizes the challenges posed by displacement and refugee flows, aiming to address the needs of both host communities and displaced populations through inclusive planning and coordination with humanitarian actors.