Climate change is intensifying hydrological variability, undermining water security and resilience, particularly in Africa and the global south. Conventional water governance approaches—often centralized, rigid, and sectorally siloed—are inadequate for managing complex and uncertain water systems. Adaptive water governance has emerged as a transformative paradigm that emphasizes flexibility, iterative learning, polycentric governance, and stakeholder engagement. This entry explores the theoretical foundations of adaptive governance, integrating frameworks such as Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and polycentric institutional arrangements. It examines key challenges in African water systems, including water scarcity, hydro-political tensions, and infrastructure fragility, highlighting the interplay between ecological, social, and institutional factors. The Lake Chad Basin serves as a detailed case study, illustrating the practical application of adaptive governance strategies, including community comanagement, eco-hydrological restoration, and multilevel coordination. The entry further considers the role of innovative technologies and digital tools, such as smart water systems, in enhancing adaptive capacity. Finally, it discusses future directions for sustainable water management under climate uncertainty, emphasizing the necessity of transboundary cooperation and integrated policy approaches. By synthesizing theory, practice, and regional experience, this entry contributes to the ongoing discourse on resilient water governance in the face of growing climatic and sociopolitical pressures.