Renewable water resources in Africa

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The average rainfall for the continent is about 670 mm per year but the spatial and temporal distribution is very varied. Due to high rates of evaporation, renewable water resources constitute only about 20 percent of total rainfall on average. In the Sudano-Sahelian and Southern African sub-regions, renewable water resources constitute only about 6% and 9% respectively. African water resources are also characterized by the multiplicity of transboundary water basins. They cover 64% of the continent’s land area and contain 93% of its total surface water resources. There are about 80 transboundary river and lake basins in Africa and over 38 transboundary aquifers. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for more than 75% of the African population.

Withdrawals of water are estimated to be about 3.8% of total annual renewable water resources. These withdrawals are used mainly for agriculture at 85% of the total, for community water supply at 9%, and for an industry at 6%. Therefore, there is a high potential for development of Africa’s renewable water resources, although this potential can be realized only in certain areas because abundant renewable water resources are not distributed evenly over the continent than 75% of the African population.

unepdhi.org