Harnessing localised multi-actor institutional water, energy and food nexus financing to achieve just transitions in South Africa
Achieving just transitions in South Africa requires integrated and inclusive financing across the water, energy and food (WEF) nexus. This study sought to examine how multi-actor institutional financing structures influence equity and coordination within the WEF nexus. Using a Social Network Analysi...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Sustainable Futures |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825005829 |
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| author | Thulani Ningi Saul Ngarava Alois A. Mugadza |
| author_facet | Thulani Ningi Saul Ngarava Alois A. Mugadza |
| author_sort | Thulani Ningi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Achieving just transitions in South Africa requires integrated and inclusive financing across the water, energy and food (WEF) nexus. This study sought to examine how multi-actor institutional financing structures influence equity and coordination within the WEF nexus. Using a Social Network Analysis approach, data were collected from key informants representing public, private, and multilateral financial institutions involved in WEF-related projects. Network mapping and centrality metrics were applied to assess institutional interactions and coordination, using University of California Irvine NETwork (UCINET) version 6 for the analysis. The analysis revealed a sparse financing network, with a low-density score (0.062) and limited collaboration across decision-making levels. Key intermediaries, such as the Public Investment Corporation and the Land Bank, were identified as central actors, while local-level financing remained largely absent. The findings highlight the need to strengthen institutional synergies, foster cross-sectoral partnerships, and develop regional financing hubs to address fragmentation and promote inclusive sustainability transitions. The study provides targeted insights for policymakers and financial stakeholders working to realign funding systems with local development priorities and to accelerate equitable sustainability transitions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6f66c4335ede4dedb9873a9fe9fe4b4c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-1888 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sustainable Futures |
| spelling | doaj-art-6f66c4335ede4dedb9873a9fe9fe4b4c2025-08-20T03:25:29ZengElsevierSustainable Futures2666-18882025-12-011010101810.1016/j.sftr.2025.101018Harnessing localised multi-actor institutional water, energy and food nexus financing to achieve just transitions in South AfricaThulani Ningi0Saul Ngarava1Alois A. Mugadza2Markets and Economic Research Centre, National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), South Africa; Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Agribusiness, University of Fort Hare, South Africa; Moore Centre for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA; Corresponding author.School of Natural Science, College of Health and Natural Science, University of Lincoln, United KingdomCaribbean Environmental Law Unit, Faculty of Law, The University of the West Indies, BarbadosAchieving just transitions in South Africa requires integrated and inclusive financing across the water, energy and food (WEF) nexus. This study sought to examine how multi-actor institutional financing structures influence equity and coordination within the WEF nexus. Using a Social Network Analysis approach, data were collected from key informants representing public, private, and multilateral financial institutions involved in WEF-related projects. Network mapping and centrality metrics were applied to assess institutional interactions and coordination, using University of California Irvine NETwork (UCINET) version 6 for the analysis. The analysis revealed a sparse financing network, with a low-density score (0.062) and limited collaboration across decision-making levels. Key intermediaries, such as the Public Investment Corporation and the Land Bank, were identified as central actors, while local-level financing remained largely absent. The findings highlight the need to strengthen institutional synergies, foster cross-sectoral partnerships, and develop regional financing hubs to address fragmentation and promote inclusive sustainability transitions. The study provides targeted insights for policymakers and financial stakeholders working to realign funding systems with local development priorities and to accelerate equitable sustainability transitions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825005829Just transition financingSocial network analysisSouth AfricaWEF nexus |
| spellingShingle | Thulani Ningi Saul Ngarava Alois A. Mugadza Harnessing localised multi-actor institutional water, energy and food nexus financing to achieve just transitions in South Africa Sustainable Futures Just transition financing Social network analysis South Africa WEF nexus |
| title | Harnessing localised multi-actor institutional water, energy and food nexus financing to achieve just transitions in South Africa |
| title_full | Harnessing localised multi-actor institutional water, energy and food nexus financing to achieve just transitions in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Harnessing localised multi-actor institutional water, energy and food nexus financing to achieve just transitions in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Harnessing localised multi-actor institutional water, energy and food nexus financing to achieve just transitions in South Africa |
| title_short | Harnessing localised multi-actor institutional water, energy and food nexus financing to achieve just transitions in South Africa |
| title_sort | harnessing localised multi actor institutional water energy and food nexus financing to achieve just transitions in south africa |
| topic | Just transition financing Social network analysis South Africa WEF nexus |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825005829 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT thulaniningi harnessinglocalisedmultiactorinstitutionalwaterenergyandfoodnexusfinancingtoachievejusttransitionsinsouthafrica AT saulngarava harnessinglocalisedmultiactorinstitutionalwaterenergyandfoodnexusfinancingtoachievejusttransitionsinsouthafrica AT aloisamugadza harnessinglocalisedmultiactorinstitutionalwaterenergyandfoodnexusfinancingtoachievejusttransitionsinsouthafrica |