ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This overview of groundwater development in Sub-Saharan Africa is based on the authors’ cumulative experience, tempered by assessment of the readily-available published and grey literature, and by consultation with certain ‘key players’and by dialogue at the IAH Conference on ‘Groundwater for Poverty Reduction in Africa’ prior to the G8 Summit in London on 29 June 2005. A systematic assessment of the status of groundwater development and use is not attempted because of the patchy nature of available information. But many countries have urgent need of substantial investment in institutional strengthening to improve management and planning of the groundwater development process. More effective use of available groundwater resources will reduce poverty and achieve enhanced livelihoods.
