Abstract
The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus approach has emerged as a key framework for addressing interconnected resource challenges, particularly in rural Southern Africa, where climate vulnerability, institutional fragmentation, and livelihood pressures intersect. This study critically assesses the applicability of four prominent WEF nexus frameworks: the BonnFramework, the World Economic Forum (WEF) Framework, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Framework, and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Framework. Drawing on a qualitative, interpretive review of 71 purposively selected publications, the study evaluates these frameworks against six feasibility criteria: data requirements, institutional capacity, cost and resource implications, technological complexity, cultural acceptability, and potential for downscaling in rural contexts. The findings reveal that although all frameworks effectively conceptualise WEF interdependencies, their practical applicability varies significantly. The Bonn and WEF frameworks provide strong high-level integration but offer limited operational guidance; the FAO framework offers structured planning tools but remains resource-intensive; and the IISD framework is the most adaptable, owing to its simplicity and focus on access, availability, and utilisation. The study concludes that localising global WEF frameworks is essential to address rural vulnerabilities and enhance implementation. This research shifts the focus from conceptual integration to feasibility, offering a practical perspective for policymakers and practitioners aiming to implement nexus-based approaches in resource-limited rural areas.