Development of Water Investment Pipeline Projects for the Groundwater Access Facility in the Horn of Africa (GAFA)

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.
Dr. Zeynu Ummer
Director, UNDP Resilience Hub for Africa