The water crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa: building resilience for a sustainable future

Global Watch | 2025-10-21

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a water crisis of unprecedented scale. With seven in 10 people lacking access to safe drinking water, the region is the most water-insecure in the world.

Growing populations, expanding economies and intensifying climate extremes are pushing water systems to the brink. Broken pipes, untreated wastewater and dangerously polluted supplies are the norm, while floods and droughts wreak havoc on fragile infrastructure.

Without urgent action, the region's GDP could plummet by 10–15% by mid-century, threatening livelihoods and stability. The solution lies in building resilient water systems, integrating sustainable infrastructure, actionable information and effective institutions to meet the challenges ahead.

Sub-Saharan Africa's water infrastructure is plagued by inefficiency and neglect. Up to 60% of water is lost to leaks, theft and faulty metering, while one-quarter of handpumps fail at any given time. This costly cycle of "build, neglect, rebuild" leaves millions without reliable access to water.

To break this cycle, infrastructure must be designed for long-term resilience. Sustainable funding, regular maintenance, and innovative solutions like managed aquifer recharge, storing excess water underground for future use can ensure reliable service. Nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands to mitigate floods, can complement traditional infrastructure, reduce costs and enhance environmental sustainability.

The power of data

Effective water management depends on accurate, timely data, yet much of Sub-Saharan Africa lacks the observation networks and analytical tools needed to monitor water systems. Advances in satellite remote sensing, artificial intelligence and machine learning offer transformative potential, enabling policymakers to predict risks, optimize resources and develop early warning systems for droughts and floods.

Understanding the socio-economic dynamics of water use is equally critical. Many rural households rely on multiple water sources, switching between municipal supplies and surface water depending on the season. Surveys like the Household Water Insecurity Experience Scales can provide insights into these practices, helping utilities tailor services to meet diverse needs.

The key to coordination

Resilient water systems require strong institutions to manage competing demands across households, agriculture and industry. Yet governance in Sub-Saharan Africa is often fragmented, with overlapping responsibilities and siloed policies undermining coherence.

Participatory platforms, such as water user associations and basin commissions, can bring stakeholders together to align priorities and share resources. However, institutional capacity remains underfunded, with less than 16% of water-related development aid directed toward governance and policy. Strengthening these "soft" infrastructures is as vital as building pipes and treatment plants.

The stakes could not be higher. Sub-Saharan Africa's water crisis threatens not only public health and economic growth, but also regional stability. Building resilient water systems is not just an environmental imperative, but it is a moral and economic necessity.

By investing in sustainable infrastructure, leveraging data-driven insights and fostering inclusive governance, the region can chart a path toward water security. The time to act is now, before the crisis deepens further. Resilience is not just about surviving the challenges ahead, it is about thriving despite them.