Research paper
Development of water investment pipeline projects for the groundwater access facility in the Horn of Africa
Presenting GAFA’s first regional pipeline of 64 groundwater investment projects
This report outlines how projects were identified, assessed, and mapped using technical, financial, social, and environmental criteria. It highlights major gaps—especially limited private, climate, and blended finance and positions GAFA as a key platform to strengthen project readiness, mobilise diverse financing, and scale climate-resilient groundwater investments across the region.
The Horn of Africa is entering a decisive period in its pursuit of water security. As climate variability intensifies and surface water systems face growing pressure, the strategic value of deep groundwater has never been clearer. Sustainable groundwater development and management are now essential to safeguarding lives, strengthening economies, and building long-term climate resilience across the region.
The Groundwater Access Facility (GAFA) was established to respond to this urgent need. Since its launch in May 2024 in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, GAFA has convened IGAD member states, UN agencies, and development partners to strengthen coordination, improve data transparency, and accelerate groundwater investments.
This report—prepared in partnership with UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, FAO, NORCAP, IGAD, and the governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti—presents the first consolidated groundwater investment pipeline for the region. It identifies 64 projects valued at USD 3.05 billion, spanning drinking water supply, sanitation, irrigation, livestock, industry, and ecosystem services.
The report goes well beyond project compilation. It demonstrates what regional collaboration can deliver when combined with strong technical leadership and national ownership. By applying rigorous technical, financial, social, and environmental assessment criteria, it establishes a credible platform for future feasibility studies, investment structuring, and resource mobilization. The accompanying GIS-enabled dashboard—linked to IGAD’s Groundwater Information System (GWIS)—further enhances the region’s capacity for evidence-based planning and monitoring.
The findings also highlight significant investment gaps. Groundwater financing remains fragmented and predominantly reliant on public funding, with limited private sector participation and scarce blended finance solutions. Project diversity is still emerging, with many proposals focused on drinking water rather than agriculture, ecosystem resilience, or transboundary cooperation.
Strengthening bankability and improving investor confidence remain critical to unlocking larger scale and more diversified financing. For donors, ministers, and technical partners, these gaps represent clear opportunities. GAFA is uniquely positioned to serve as a broker between governments, development partners, and financiers; to build national and regional capacity for project preparation; and to expand the pipeline to include more innovative, climate resilient, and investment ready groundwater projects. The Facility also provides a platform to align public, private, and climate finance around a shared regional vision for groundwater resilience.