Collaboration and Governance in the WEF Nexus: A Systematic Review of Lessons from Emerging Economies

Abstract

Abstract - The Water–Energy–Food (WEF) nexus offers a holistic framework for managing interconnected resource systems. Governance is central to translating nexus principles into equitable and durable outcomes, yet it remains underexplored, particularly in emerging economy contexts. Existing scholarship is heavily skewed toward resource-interaction mapping, techno-economic optimization, and sectoral modelling, with limited integration of socio-political realities such as institutional fragmentation, power asymmetries, and financing volatility. This study applies the PRISMA 2020 framework to systematically review 91 Scopus-indexed articles on WEF nexus governance. Four dominant governance models are identified: Public–Private Partnerships, Community-led or Co-management, Inter-agency Coordination, and Hybrid or Multi-level Governance. Each demonstrates distinct sectoral alignments, stakeholder configurations, and trade-offs, from the innovation potential and equity risks of Public–Private Partnerships to the inclusivity and capacity limitations in community-led approaches. Findings reveal persistent gaps in governance durability, energy–agriculture integration, and the role of digital mechanisms. The review calls for longitudinal, comparative, and mixed-method studies to advance theory and inform adaptive and inclusive governance frameworks that can withstand the socio-environmental uncertainties of countries with emerging economies.

Keywords - Water–Energy–Food nexus, governance, stakeholder participation, adaptive governance, resilience