The Nile : is it a curse or blessing?

Historical, economic and political factors are converging to reduce the potential for water development in the upper riparian states of the Nile. In short, unless basin-wide development planning is considered a viable solution to conflict resolution and poverty reduction, the growing scarcity of water is likely to lead to inter-state conflict. Th e purpose of this paper is therefore to analyse the water policies of the Nile riparian states and their attending consequences, including economic, environmental and social crises. To that end, the paper begins with a close examination of historical, political, and economic conditions in the Nile riparian states and compares the regions' water resources management policies as they relate to poverty reduction, conflict prevention and environmental sustainability.