• World Bank estimates irrigation could generate 218 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa
• Irrigated agriculture delivers higher productivity and supports year-round employment
• Low irrigation coverage and high costs continue to constrain development

Irrigation development in sub-Saharan Africa offers significant potential to boost agricultural productivity and employment. A report published in March 2026 by the World Bank highlighted the scale of this opportunity.

The report, titled “Nourish and Flourish: Water Solutions to Feed 10 Billion People on a Livable Planet,” stated that converting all viable rainfed agricultural land into irrigated systems could generate about 245 million jobs globally. The institution estimated that nearly 90% of this potential, or around 218 million jobs, could materialize in sub-Saharan Africa.

Irrigation enables a transition from low-yield rainfed farming to more intensive and market-oriented agriculture. It creates additional employment opportunities during the dry season, when rural labor demand typically declines.

Traditional irrigation systems, such as gravity canals and water basins, require higher labor input per hectare. Modern systems, including drip and sprinkler irrigation, require technical skills for water management.

Moreover, irrigation improves productivity by securing water access. It reduces exposure to climate variability, increases yields, and allows multiple cropping cycles per year. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that irrigated land globally delivers 3.2 times more value than rainfed land and achieves yields that are on average 76% higher.

Irrigation also supports the emergence of a broader service economy around water management. The report stated:  “This transition is creating new job opportunities in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors related to irrigated agriculture and the agricultural water management (AWM) service chain, including an increasing role for small and medium-sized enterprises in the supply, installation, and maintenance of irrigation equipment, as well as consulting services.”

These developments mobilize private sector actors across the value chain, including equipment suppliers, installers, maintenance providers, and advisory services.

However, irrigation adoption in Africa remains limited. The Food and Agriculture Organization reported that only 6% of cultivated land in Africa was equipped for irrigation in 2023, compared with a global average of 23%.

High costs constrain expansion. The organization stated in a 2025 report: “From a financial standpoint, the infrastructure and equipment needed to deliver water to the fields require significant investment. Operating and maintenance costs are also relatively high compared to those of rain-fed agriculture.”

In addition, irrigation potential remains underutilized. In the Sahel region, the World Bank estimated that water resources in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Chad could irrigate between 3.18 million and 4.36 million hectares.

Current irrigated land in these countries stands at about 845,000 hectares, representing less than 30% of estimated potential.

The World Bank recommended policy adjustments to accelerate inclusive and sustainable irrigation. The institution urged governments to redirect agricultural spending, particularly subsidies, toward irrigation investments.

The report noted that total agricultural support across 90 countries reached $663 billion in 2023. Public spending accounted for about $490 billion, but only $27 billion went to irrigation.

The institution also highlighted farmer-led irrigation development (FLID) as a key driver. The report stated: “The FLID offers a replicable model for empowering smallholder farmers as key players in food security, provided the right conditions are in place—including easily accessible water sources and the ability to mobilize their own capital investments.”

Agriculture already accounts for about 60% of employment in Africa. Expanded irrigation could reinforce this role while supporting structural transformation in rural economies. It could also improve resilience to climate shocks and enhance long-term food security across the region.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum