• Ethiopia launches five-year national project to identify and map all groundwater resources
• The country aims to build a reliable database to support future water management and fight recurring droughts
• Only 17% of Ethiopia’s land has been surveyed so far, despite heavy reliance on groundwater in rural areas

Ethiopia has officially launched a five-year project to map all of its underground water resources on April 25. The initiative is expected to provide a clear picture of where the country’s groundwater lies, how much is available, and how safe it is to use.

Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa described the effort as critical for long-term water planning. “Although groundwater is always available, its quality requires many works. In some places, it is not used because it contains fluoride and chloride and other chemicals,” he said.

With a population of 126.5 million in 2023, Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country. More than 80% of the people live in rural areas, where most families rely on groundwater. But because this water is often collected in traditional ways, there is little testing or oversight. The result is a heavy reliance on water that is not always safe or evenly distributed.

Currently, groundwater data is only available for 17% of the country, according to the Ministry of Water and Energy. That makes it difficult to plan projects or respond to growing water demand. Officials say the new mapping program will help change that.

Ethiopia is trying to modernize its water sector. The government is pushing for stronger national water policies and more infrastructure. With this new project, Ethiopia hopes to build its first national groundwater database. This would help the country make smarter decisions about how to use and protect its water.

The French Development Agency (AFD) funded a partial mapping effort in 2022. More recently, the African Development Fund donated $46 million to improve access to clean water and sanitation in the Borana region, home to many pastoralist communities.

The new national project marks a big step forward. With better data, Ethiopia could avoid overusing groundwater, improve water access in rural areas, and prepare more effectively for future droughts.

Ingrid Haffiny (intern)