From May 19 to 21, 2025, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened the 3rd IGAD Water Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme “Building a Platform for Sustainable Regional Groundwater Cooperation.” This three-day gathering brought together government representatives from member states, technical experts, researchers, development partners, and international organisations. Their shared goal: to advance collaboration in managing groundwater resources in the Horn of Africa — a region where climate stress, urban expansion, and population growth are accelerating the demand for this precious resource.
Groundwater plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of IGAD’s eight member states, which include Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. Much of the region is dry or semi-arid, making communities increasingly reliant on underground water for agriculture, domestic use, and livestock production. Transboundary aquifers such as the Dawa, Shabelle, and Northern Basement systems serve as lifelines, yet these crucial resources remain under-researched, poorly governed, and at risk of over-extraction. As water scarcity grows more pronounced under the weight of climate variability, these aquifers demand urgent, cooperative management beyond national borders.
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The Water Forum served as a critical platform for discussions around policy harmonisation, data sharing, scientific collaboration, and institutional capacity building. Among the highlights were presentations of findings from the Joint Regional Study (JRS) and the Dawa Feasibility Study, both of which offer valuable insights into the condition and potential of shared groundwater resources. These studies support evidence-based decision-making by helping countries understand where groundwater exists, how it flows, and how much is being consumed.
Another important element of the forum was the demonstration of innovative tools and approaches for groundwater assessment in borderland and data-scarce regions. These technical innovations, many developed through partnerships between IGAD and international agencies, aim to improve groundwater monitoring, reduce information gaps, and provide early warnings in cases of stress or depletion. For many IGAD countries, such tools represent a leap forward in managing underground water resources more sustainably and efficiently.
The event also gave space for dialogue on how regional partnerships can be strengthened to address the interconnected nature of water challenges. Through entities like the IGAD Platform for Groundwater Collaboration (I-PGWC), countries are working toward aligned frameworks that facilitate cross-border cooperation. The goal is not only to secure water access for present and future generations, but also to reduce conflict and tension arising from competition over shared resources.
IGAD’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, underscored the urgency and importance of the forum in his opening remarks. He noted that while groundwater is a hidden resource, it is also a stabilising force for regional development, peace, and climate resilience. His call to action was clear: the region must build trust, invest in joint action, and turn knowledge into practice if it is to overcome the increasing water-related challenges facing its people.
Outcomes from the forum are expected to inform the development of a regional roadmap for groundwater resilience and collaboration. The roadmap will outline priority actions for better governance, capacity development, and investment strategies, aligned with IGAD’s broader commitment to integrated water resource management and sustainable development.
As the Horn of Africa continues to experience extreme climate events such as droughts and floods, the urgency to secure underground water resources has never been greater. The 3rd IGAD Water Forum has not only deepened understanding of these challenges but has also strengthened political will and scientific cooperation across the region. It reaffirmed that groundwater, while invisible beneath our feet, must be central to how IGAD countries plan for a more sustainable and water-secure future.
More details about the forum and its key outcomes are available on the IGAD website: https://igad.int/3rd-igad-water-forum.
