Development of an Africa-wide Groundwater Strategic Plan

OneWorld was contracted to develop a Strategic Programme for Water Security and Resilience in Africa that delivers positive impacts to AMCOW Member States in line with AMCOW’s Strategic Priorities. The Strategic Programme builds on the existing AMCOW Pan-African Groundwater Programme (APAGroP) and harnesses the expertise of AMCOW Member States and partners to establish the necessary institutional and management arrangements for effective groundwater and transboundary aquifer management and development across Africa.

The Strategy addresses aspects of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) concerning groundwater and transboundary management that contribute to water security and resilience in Africa and focuses on the sustainable development and management of groundwater and transboundary aquifers. It considers hydrogeological data needs and aquifer mapping work that has been completed. The impacts of climate change on groundwater and climate resilient innovation and adaptation in sustainable groundwater and transboundary water management were among the key considerations for this project.

OneWorld conducted reviews of existing IWRM and groundwater plans and strategies across the content, including those under development, such as in Limpopo.  The team established strategic guidelines, knowledge-sharing platforms and peer learning exchange platforms, building on AMCOW’s partnerships for implementation.