Oral Presentation World Lake Conference 2025

 Advancing Transboundary Lake Management through Collaborative Networks and Capacity Building: Lessons from ACARE’s Advisory Groups and the African Women in Science Program (#127)

Stephanie Smith 1 2 , Zeph Migeni 1
  1. African Center for Aquatic Research and Education, Kisumu, Kenya
  2. African Center for Aquatic Research and Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

 The African Great Lakes are lifelines for over 50 million people, spanning borders and supporting biodiversity, livelihoods, and economies across the continent. However, these transboundary water bodies face complex and escalating threats—from climate impacts and pollution to governance gaps and unsustainable development. Tackling these shared challenges demands innovative, inclusive, and cooperative approaches grounded in science and community leadership.

The African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE) is advancing sustainable lake management through flagship initiatives: the Advisory Groups Program and the African Women in Science (AWIS) Program. These initiatives build capacity, foster collaboration, and support transdisciplinary leadership across the region’s seven Great Lakes. ACARE will also share information about their new African Lakes Hub that enables greater information sharing and for collaboration and management.

ACARE’s Advisory Groups convene leading scientists, policy influencers, and community experts around each of the lakes—Tanganyika, Victoria, Malawi/Nyasa, Turkana, Albert, Edward, and Kivu. Meeting monthly online and annually in person, these groups collaborate on cross-border research, policy alignment, and shared ecosystem priorities. The recent formation of a Council of Advisory Groups strengthens collective impact, ensuring a unified voice and strategic coordination across the basin, with ACARE serving as the umbrella institution.

In parallel, the AWIS program is empowering a new generation of African women scientists. To date, it has supported 72 women from 10 countries, equipping them with mentorship, leadership training, and hands-on research opportunities. AWIS alumni are producing influential research on fisheries, water quality, and ecosystem health—while also becoming visible leaders in policy, education, and local advocacy. Many of them serve in ACARE’s Advisory Groups.

This session will share lessons from both programs, spotlighting how regionally rooted, gender-inclusive, and network-driven models can accelerate progress toward resilient lake ecosystems. Key themes will include:

  • Creating durable, inclusive systems for co-producing knowledge across sectors and borders.
  • Elevating women and underrepresented voices in aquatic science and governance.
  • Lessons learned from AWIS alumni network about key capacity building successes.
  • Building transboundary science information pipelines through sustained advisory collaboration.

Participants will leave with actionable insights and replicable frameworks for empowering scientists, bridging governance divides, and scaling collective impact in freshwater systems around the world.