Management of groundwater in Africa: implications for meeting MDGs, livelihood goals and adaptation to climate change

Abstract

Groundwater is one of the most important sources for drinking water, livestock water and irrigation in Africa. Three major factors are driving the heightened interest in groundwater development in Africa. The UN Millennium Development Goal of providing improved access to safe and clean water supplies to all affected sub-Saharan African communities; the amount of access to groundwater for livestock watering and small-scale and commercial irrigation is an important measure of poverty and livelihood potential; climate change affects precipitation and temperature dynamics on a global scale, and hence will impact water supply and demand in local communities.