Our purpose

The University of Cape Town's Water and Production Economics (WPE) research unit addresses one of the critical challenges modern societies face: competing use of water resources to promote increased production in emerging and developing countries. 

WPE serves as an academic platform that supports research, capacity building and policy outreach in the field of water and production economics. We bring together scientists working in the field to address challenging economic, social and environmental questions that impact human lives and technological progress. 

At WPE, we believe that meaningful science should not only be directed towards academic audiences but also policymakers, NGOs and the private sector to shape the thinking dynamics and make breakthroughs in how science is utilised. 

Water is becoming a scarce resource in areas where demand exceeds supply. Often, water scarcity is exacerbated by bad water quality which generates a lot of negative economic impact and health-related problems. Emerging and developing countries – such as on the African continent – are facing the challenge that they have to increase their production capacity to stimulate growth and development. They require innovations that have a long-term perspective and create conditions that encourage greater and sustainable economic opportunities. WPE strives to facilitate and answer some of the most pressing questions. 

Core functions

The Water and Production Economics (WPE) research unit performs a variety of functions:

  1. Produce relevant, high-quality research in the field of water and production economics which subscribes to a research agenda responsive to local contexts;
  2. Disseminate research outputs and insights from our work to inform policymakers, NGOs, decision-makers, the private sector and the general public;
  3. Provide research opportunities and capacity-building initiatives to foster local expertise;
  4. Engage international experts, senior researchers, research programmes and groups in our work to enrich learning experience of our researchers, students and affiliates;
  5. Provide a platform that links South Africa with similar research centres worldwide and contributes to the global discourse;
  6. Support scientific and policy committees, advisory groups, practitioners, activists and other promoters of sustainability in South Africa, the African continent and the world at large in their work through publications engagements and other activities; and
  7. Ensure the continued work of the research unit through, including, but not limited to, securing of funding and resources for research projects, scholarships and publications.

Organisational structure

The Water and Production Economics (WPE) research unit is based at the University of Cape Town (UCT) School of Economics, Faculty of Commerce.

The centre comprises

  • WPE Director
  • Scientific team of junior and senior researchers
  • Administrator

See our Team page for more information and contact details.

Join the team

Open positions with the Water and Production Economics (WPE) research unit will be advertised on our website and social media channels as and when available.

WPE also welcomes proactive applications from researchers in the field. Email your CV and motivational letter to wpe@uct.ac.za.