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Transboundary aquifer fact sheets

GEF-UNDP-NBI Nile Basin Groundwater project

By IW:LEARN

December 12^th, 2021

The interaction between groundwater and surface water systems (rivers, wetlands, lakes) has not been adequately considered in the Nile Basin. Water demand for various uses is rapidly growing and will outstrip the supply of conventional surface based sources in the near future. Groundwater holds the promise of closing the gap between water supply and demand, and in buffering the effects of climate variability. However, pressure on groundwater resources, through over exploitation and pollution, is already felt in many small aquifers in the upper Nile riparian countries.

The "Enhancing Conjunctive Management of Surface and Groundwater Resources in Selected Transboundary Aquifers: Case Study for Selected Shared Groundwater Bodies in the Nile Basin" project's aim is to overcome the different barriers limiting effective utilisation and protection of shared aquifers in the upper riparian countries of the Nile. Recent studies show that groundwater availability (or depletion of it) in the region, has a strong bearing on poverty, migration, conflict, school attendance, and human health. Three aquifer areas have been selected for the current intervention and these are located in diverse ecological zones.

Consultative meetings with officers Bausega. Photo credit: NBI

Consultative meetings with officers. Photo credit: NBI

In November 2021, the project released three factsheets on the Mount Elgon, Kagera, and Gedaref-Adigrat aquifers.

These factsheets cover:

Management issues and threats/problems to be addressed by the project;
Barriers to effective utilisation and protection to be addressed by the project;
Project focus areas;
Selected pilot projects and key stakeholders;
Relevance of the project to national development priorities; and
Expected benefits

Mount Elgon Aquifer factsheet

The Mount Elgon aquifer is one of the three transboundary aquifers selected as a case study under the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)’s Groundwater Project – ‘Enhancing Conjunctive Management of Surface Water and Groundwater Resources in Selected Transboundary Aquifers: Case Study for selected Shared Groundwater Bodies in the Nile Basin.’ The aquifer is shared between Kenya and Uganda. In Kenya, it lies within Lakes Victoria and Turkana Basins and covers the counties of Trans-Nzoia (sub-counties of Endebes and Saboti) and Bungoma (sub-counties of Mt. Elgon, Sirisia, Kimilili and Kabuchai). In Uganda, the aquifer lies within Lakes Kyoga and Turkana Basins and covers the districts of Manafwa, Bududa, Sironko, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo Namisindwa, Nakapiripirit and Amudat.

The full factsheet can be accessed here.

Cover image of the Mount Elgon Aquifer Factsheet. Photo credit: NBI

Kagera Aquifer factsheet

The Kagera river Basin forms the headwater of the river Nile. The river is the largest tributary of Lake Victoria. The Kagera aquifer is shared by Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

The full factsheet can be accessed here.

Cover image of the Kagera Aquifer Factsheet. Photo credit: NBI

Gedaref-Adigrat Aquifer factsheet

The Gedaref-Adigrat aquifer is shared by Ethiopia and The Sudan.

The full factsheet can be accessed here.

Cover image of the Gedaref-Adigrat Aquifer Factsheet. Image credit: NBI

About the Nile Basin Groundwater Project

The GEF funded, UNDP implemented and Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) executed project aims to strengthen knowledgebase, capacity and cross-border institutional mechanisms for sustainable use and management of selected transboundary aquifers in the Nile Equatorial Lakes and Eastern Nile sub-basins.

For more information contact the Project Manager, Maha Abdelrahim Ismail (mabdelraheem@nilebasin.org), visit the project website, or view the dedicated project page on iwlearn.net.