An estimated 75% of the African population relies on groundwater for their drinking water. Groundwater supports social and economic development and will become increasingly important in the face of climate change, droughts and floods. If groundwater is to provide reliable, safe and sustainable water supplies now and for future generations, the resource must be well-managed. This requires consideration of the entire system of policies & laws, strategies & guidance, monitoring & management as well as investments & projects. Those that manage and develop groundwater need to be equipped with appropriate skills and knowledge.

This new online course on groundwater resources management, launched in 2022 will provides participants with a comprehensive overview what impacts upon groundwater. Echoing the theme of the World Water Day 2022, this course will make the invisible visible. 

Participants who successfully complete the course will have an awareness of the importance of groundwater, understand the need to preserve it and be equipped with basic knowledge to engage in the management of groundwater resources at national and transboundary levels.

Transboundary aquifers in Africa: Approaches and mechanisms

The online course is open to 250 participants from governments, NGOs, basin organisations, private sector, training organisations, academic organisations and donors. 

The course will start on Friday 29^th April and run up to the 29^th August. The application process is open to Tuesday 11^th April 2022. 

Successful participants will be informed by the 22^nd April 2022. 

Application link: https://cap-net.org/grm/

Other RWSN resources related to Groundwater 

• Does your organisation drill boreholes, or perhaps fund others to drill?  If so, check out the wealth of materials on borehole drilling on the RWSN website: https://tinyurl.com/waterdrilling 
• Do you want a quick, and easy introduction to borehole siting, supervision, procurement and drilling itself?  If so, then watch these very short animated films (available in English and French): https://vimeo.com/channels/drilling 
• Want to know about how to unlock the potential of groundwater in Africa, then check out this short film: https://vimeo.com/582160363 
• Are you looking for ways to support access to groundwater at a low cost? Then you should find out if manual drilling is an option? This is a good place to start: https://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/sustainable-groundwater-management/manual-drilling 
• Want to learn about professional drilling from other RWSN members and partners? There is an archive of presentations and webinars available here: https://vimeo.com/channels/1432819 
• Do you have questions or concerns about using solar-powered water systems to pump groundwater? This is a good place to start: https://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/sustainable-groundwater-management/solar  

Course Partners

This course is funded by BGR and implemented by AMCOW/APAGroP, AGW-Net, Ask for Water GmbH and Cap-Net UNDP.

Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR)
[Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources]

The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) is the geoscientific center of excellence within the federal government and part of its scientific and technical infrastructure. The institute provides neutral and independent advice and information about all geo-scientific and natural resource issues.

The African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW)

The African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) was formed in 2002 in Abuja Nigeria, primarily to promote cooperation, security, social, economic development and poverty eradication among member states through the effective management of the continent’s water resources and provision of water supply services.

AGW-NET

The Africa Groundwater Network (AGW-Net) was established to increase awareness of the potential and value of groundwater across the continent and to contribute to capacity building in the groundwater sector in Africa.

Ask For Water GmbH

The company was founded in 2020 by Dr. Kerstin Danert, a water specialist, researcher and facilitator, with over twenty years of experience in international development cooperation. She is passionate about improving access to water for domestic use, agriculture and business and has worked in over 15 countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cap-Net UNDP

Cap-Net is UNDP ́s global network for capacity development in sustainable water management within the Sida Global Water and Oceans Governance Support Programme. Cap-Net UNDP assists partners in formulating, coordinating, and implementing water governance reforms by providing necessary policy, advice and technical assistance, knowledge and capacity development.