Research,capacity-building and empowerment for sustainable management of African wetland ecosystems

African wetlands have important functions and values in terms of the water cycle, water quality management and biodiversity conservation. Especially relevant is their importance in food security, the provision of tradable products, and cultural and aesthetic values for local riparian communities.In Africa, knowledge of the processes, functions and values of wetlands is slim: indeed, in many regions, wetland inventories are yet to be produced. A research strategy is proposed to address some of these issues recommending an intrinsically linked, two-pronged approach: i.e. (i) studies for inventories, assessment and monitoring of wetlands and (ii) research into processes, structure and functioning of wetland ecosystems. The former has an immediate urgency whilst the latter has a long-term perspective. It is argued that curiosity-driven, (basic) research should go hand-in-hand with problem-orientated (applied) studies. Basic research is essential for a nation's scientific and technical empowerment and development. Priority topics include studies on biological diversity and integrated studies on wetlands and water resources (including water quality and the functions and values of wetland buffers).There is clear evidence of a shortage of expertise from within Africa for these topics and the reasons are discussed. Amongst others, blame is directed towards aid strategies from the industrial North and individual research programmes by `Northern' scientists in Africa. However, commitment in Africa to the actual process of scientific research is also wanting. Overall, the North have failed to stimulate a critical mass for research whilst the South suffer from a lack of momentum and from chronic under-investment.A research, training and capacity-building scheme is presented as a viable option for ameliorating the dearth of wetland resource professionals in Africa in which partnerships and networking of institutes from the North and South is encouraged.