Overcoming barriers to effective use and protection of shared aquifers and groundwater in the Nile
Water demand for various uses in the Nile Basin is rapidly growing and threatens the supply of conventional surface-based sources. More than 70% of the rural population in many parts of the Nile Basin depends on groundwater while economic activities such as irrigation, fisheries, mining and industries are becoming increasingly reliant on groundwater. Groundwater holds the promise of closing the gap between water supply and demand, and in buffering the effects of climate variability. However, pressure on groundwater resources, through overexploitation and pollution, is already felt in many small aquifers in the upper Nile riparian countries. In response to these challenges, the Groundwater project is one of the interventions identified by the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) under its 10-year Strategy (2017 – 2027), aimed at supporting Member States to address the rising water demands for their rapidly growing economies and population.
