A Systems Thinking Analysis of Institutional Frameworks Governing the Energy-Water Nexus for Productive Agricultural Activities in Rural Tanzania

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural development in rural sub-Saharan Africa increasingly depends on coordinated governance of energy and water resources. Despite the growing deployment of solar photovoltaic water pumping systems (SPVWPS), little is known about how the institutional framework shapes SPVWPS effectiveness for productive agricultural use in rural Tanzania. Drawing on systems thinking concepts, specifically hierarchy, interaction, and interconnectedness, this study analyses the institutional frameworks governing energy and water provision for irrigation and livestock keeping across three rural Tanzanian communities. A mixed-methods design was employed, with qualitative inquiry as the primary mode; 65 household surveys, nine semi-structured interviews with community leaders, SPV developers, and local officials, and seven focus group discussions with farmers and livestock keepers were conducted across the three study areas. National energy and water policy documents, reports, and strategic plans were also reviewed to contextualise the institutional frameworks governing energy and water delivery in rural areas. Findings reveal limited coordination among stakeholders, particularly between NGOs, government agencies (REA, RUWASA, and NIRC), and local communities in the planning and implementation of SPVWP projects. Top-down delivery mechanisms marginalised community feedback, undermining local ownership and limiting the productive use potential of installed systems. This study proposes an integrated institutional framework that combines systems thinking with bottom-up and top-down approaches, explicitly embedding structured feedback mechanisms and aligning stakeholder roles across all governance levels. The framework was validated through interviews with experts in the rural energy and governance field, confirming its practical relevance and applicability to rural energy-water governance. The framework offers actionable guidance for policymakers and development practitioners seeking to strengthen institutional coordination in rural energy-water-agriculture governance, contributing to progress towards SDG 7 and SDG 2 across sub-Saharan Africa.