For many across Africa, groundwater is a vital resource—it is a lifeline, supporting day-to-day activities and livelihoods. In areas where surface water is seasonal and unreliable due to climate variability and change, groundwater provides a consistent and dependable alternative. Somewhat surprisingly in light of the valuable contributions of the resource, groundwater in Africa is increasingly recognized to be vast and underutilized. The picture is not only one of immense potential, however, as Africa’s groundwater faces threats such as unsustainable extraction in certain areas, as well as pollution, and unclear governance. Nonetheless, if managed in an integrated and informed way, Africa’s groundwater resources present a great opportunity to enhance resilience against climate shocks, contribute towards sustainable livelihoods, and increase access to safe drinking water. 

Against this backdrop, the Groundwater for aDvancing Resilience in Africa (G4DR) aims to enhance water security and resilience by unlocking groundwater's potential. Funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF), implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and executed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in partnership with the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the Southern Africa Development Community Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI), the project operates across three scales (continental, regional, basin) over the next four years.

The G4DR Inception Workshop, held in Cotonou, Benin, from the 20th to the 22nd of January 2025, brought more than 25 people together in person and an additional 20 online from various organizations to mark the transition from project development to implementation.  Participants included representatives from all partner organizations, the five countries (Benin, Malawi, Mozambique, Togo and Uganda) from the project’s three case studies (Mono Basin, Upper Nile Water Management Zone, and the Shire Basin), the Mono Basin Authority (MBA) and other key stakeholders such African Groundwater Network (AGWA), British Geological Survey (BGS), International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC), Office of Sahel and Sudan (OSS) and United Nations Education and Science Organization (UNESCO). 

The inception workshop achieved several outcomes; it refreshed the project team on the project’s design & objectives after a lengthy preparation process, clarified institutional and staff roles, and offered opportunities for refinements to the project design. More concretely, the inception workshop also facilitated the establishment of the project steering committee, which approved the 2025 workplan and budget. The key takeaways from the workshop included enthusiasm for the project’s realization, excitement to get started on implementation, and agreement to move forward with the project largely as per the original design.

Following the in-room portion of the workshop, participants visited groundwater monitoring sites in the Keta Aquifer and Mono Basin. The visit allowed for a better understanding of challenges related to the sustainability of infrastructure to monitor groundwater quality and quantity and a discussion of harmonizing data collected and shared between Benin and Togo, among other issues.

The project team, with collaborating countries, is now moving forward with their activities. At a Pan-African level, AMCOW is driving task teams to develop a strategic programme on groundwater in Africa. To inform this process, IIASA has begun the development of a groundwater opportunity and risk assessment report. In the case study areas, coordinators have been brought on board to collect data to inform the design of transboundary groundwater monitoring networks, and a youth forum is under development. Ultimately, these actions will contribute to the work on advancing groundwater in the continent, elevating groundwater as a key resource for resilience and sustainable development in Africa.

About the project

The G4DR project is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)--funded initiative designed to enhance water security and climate resilience in Africa by unlocking the potential of groundwater. Implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and executed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), G4DR is delivered in partnership with the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), and the Southern African Development Community Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI). Working across continental, regional, and basin scales and focusing on five countries—Benin, Malawi, Mozambique, Togo, and Uganda—the project supports sustainable groundwater governance, monitoring, and development while building capacity and engaging youth to secure Africa’s water future.

For more information, please contact Cebolenkosi Zuma: c.zuma@cgair.org or visit the project website.

Words by Cebolenkosi Zuma. Photos by Prince Balogoun.