Development of groundwater is key to accelerating agricultural and overall economic growth, fighting climate change, and generating employment in Africa. However, improvements in groundwater institutions are needed to increase equity and environmental sustainability in groundwater use. This session discusses the groundwater program of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), including case studies on the benefits of groundwater development and institutional advances in several African countries.

The importance of groundwater development for water and food security in Africa

• H.E. Dr. Seleshi Bekele, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the US

Africa’s groundwater development program

• Moshood Tijani, African Ministers’ Council on Water (Presentation)

Groundwater development potential in Africa

• Ramon Brentführer, Policy Advice Groundwater bei BGR, Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (Presentation)

The economy-wide benefits of accelerating groundwater development in Senegal and Uganda

• Angga Pradesha, Senior Scientist, IFPRI (Presentation)

The groundwater governance toolbox: Elements to increase sustainability of groundwater use in Africa

• Hagar ElDidi, Senior Research Analyst, IFPRI (Presentation)

Panel Discussion

• Niokhor Ndour, Director of Resource Management and Planning, Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Senegal
• Julius Aheebwa, Water Officer, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda
• Mure Agbonlahor, Agricultural Production and Marketing Officer, African Union Commission
• Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI

Moderator

• Claudia Ringler, Deputy Director of Environment and Production Technology Division, IFPRI