Background

In many rural areas of Africa, access to clean and reliable water is a major challenge. Traditional surface water sources, such as rivers and lakes, are often scarce or unreliable during dry seasons. As a result, many communities rely on groundwater as a primary source of water for drinking, agriculture, and other uses. However, in many cases, the groundwater resources are also over-exploited and unsustainable, leading to a decline in water levels and quality.

Objective

The objective of this project is to assess the economic impact of implementing groundwater recharge methods in selected rural African communities. The project aims to:

1. Understand the current state of groundwater resources in the study areas, including the challenges faced by communities in accessing and managing the resources.

2. Investigate the potential for using recharge methods, such as rainwater harvesting and surface water infiltration, to augment and sustain groundwater resources.

3. Evaluate the economic benefits of groundwater recharge for communities, including increased access to water for drinking, agriculture, and other uses, as well as potential savings on drilling and pumping costs.

4. Provide policy recommendations for promoting and scaling up groundwater recharge in similar rural African communities.

Methodology

The project will be implemented in three rural African communities, chosen based on the availability of data and willingness of local stakeholders to participate. Data collection will include a review of existing literature, as well as fieldwork such as interviews with community members, water users and local government officials. Surveys, focus groups and case studies will also be used to gather data on the current state of groundwater resources and the challenges faced by communities in accessing and managing the resources.

Expected outcomes

The project is expected to provide valuable insights into the feasibility and economic benefits of groundwater recharge in rural Africa. The findings will inform the development of policy recommendations to promote and scale up groundwater recharge in similar communities, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to clean and reliable water for drinking, agriculture and other uses.

Team: The project will be led by a team of researchers from the African economics water research unit, and will involve collaboration with local government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations.

Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which are likely to have significant impacts on the region's water resources and agriculture. The goal of this project is to assess the potential impact of climate change on water resources and agriculture in selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, and to develop recommendations for adaptation strategies.

The project will involve a multi-disciplinary team of economists, hydrologists, and agronomists. The team will begin by conducting a literature review to identify the key issues related to the impact of climate change on water resources and agriculture in the region. This will be followed by field research in selected countries to collect data on the current state of water resources and agriculture, as well as to gather information on local adaptation strategies.

Using the data collected, the team will develop hydrological and crop growth models to simulate the potential impact of different climate change scenarios on water resources and agriculture in the region. These models will be used to assess the potential impact of climate change on water availability, crop yields, and overall agricultural productivity.

Based on the results of the modelling, the team will develop recommendations for adaptation strategies that can be implemented by governments, farmers, and other stakeholders to mitigate the potential negative impacts of climate change on water resources and agriculture in the region.

The project will also aim to raise awareness and promote discussion about the impacts of climate change on water resources and agriculture among local communities, policymakers and stakeholders, helping to increase the readiness of people in Sub-Saharan Africa to adapt.

Expected Outcomes

1. Improved understanding of the potential impact of climate change on water resources and agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa.

2. Development of adaptation strategies to mitigate the potential negative impacts of climate change on water resources and agriculture in the region.

3. Increased awareness and understanding of the impacts of climate change among local communities, policymakers, and stakeholders in the region.

4. Improved readiness of people in Sub-Saharan Africa to adapt to the impacts of climate change on water resources and agriculture.

Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human need, and it is especially critical in rural African communities where water scarcity is a major issue. This project aims to understand the economic impact of improved water access in these communities.

The project will focus on the collection and analysis of primary data from a sample of rural African communities. The data will include information on the current water supply situation, access to water, water usage, and economic indicators such as income and employment. The project team will also conduct surveys and interviews with community members to gather information on the social and economic impacts of water access.

Once data is collected, the team will use a variety of economic tools and techniques to analyze the data, including econometric models and cost-benefit analysis. The findings will be used to estimate the economic benefits of improved water access and to identify the key factors that drive these benefits.

The project will also explore policy options to improve water access in rural African communities, taking into account the specific economic, social and environmental context of the region. The policy recommendations will be shared with relevant government agencies and international organizations in order to inform decision-making and improve water access in the region.

Finally, to disseminate the findings, the team will publish research papers in academic journals and also organize workshop for key stakeholders and policy makers.

Expected outcomes

The outcome of this research would be a better understanding of the economic benefits of improved water access in rural African communities and the factors that drive these benefits. The project will also provide policy recommendations for improving water access in the region, and will raise awareness among key stakeholders and policy makers about the importance of this issue. Ultimately, the project will contribute to the sustainable development of rural African communities by improving access to clean and safe water, which is essential for health, education, and economic growth.

Access to clean and reliable water is a fundamental human need, yet many rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa continue to struggle with poor water infrastructure. This project aims to assess the impact of improved water infrastructure on the livelihoods of rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

The project will begin by conducting a comprehensive literature review on the current state of water infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa and the impact of poor water infrastructure on rural livelihoods. The review will examine existing case studies and best practices for improving water infrastructure in similar contexts.

Next, the research team will conduct fieldwork in two rural communities in a sub-Saharan African country, chosen for their diverse water infrastructure conditions. The team will use a mixed-methods approach, including household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to collect data on the current water infrastructure and the impact on the community.

The team will also collect data on the cost and feasibility of different water infrastructure options, such as boreholes, wells, rainwater harvesting systems, and piped water supply.

Once data collection is complete, the team will analyze the data and compare the results from the two communities to assess the impact of improved water infrastructure on rural livelihoods. The research team will also explore how different water infrastructure options may affect different population groups within the community.

The project will culminate in the preparation of a detailed report and policy brief outlining the findings and recommendations for improving water infrastructure in similar rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The research team will also present the findings at international conferences and work with local organizations to disseminate the results to the relevant stakeholders.

This study will help to inform policymakers and development practitioners about the specific changes that needs to be made in order to improve the water infrastructure in rural sub-Saharan Africa and enhance the livelihoods of people in these communities.

The goal of this project is to study the economic impact of dams on communities that depend on rivers for their livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project will involve a multi-disciplinary team of economists, hydrologists, and sociologists.

The first phase of the project will involve a literature review to understand the existing research on the subject and identify gaps in knowledge. This will be followed by field research in selected communities that have been impacted by dams. The research team will collect data on the economic activities of the communities, such as fishing, farming, and small businesses, as well as information on how these activities have been affected by the construction and operation of the dams.

The second phase of the project will involve the analysis of the data collected in the field. The team will use econometric techniques to estimate the economic impact of the dams on the communities, and they will also use hydrological models to assess the impact of the dams on the flow and health of the rivers.

The final phase of the project will involve the dissemination of the findings to relevant stakeholders, including policymakers, dam operators, and community representatives. The project will also produce policy recommendations for how to mitigate the negative impacts of dams on riverine communities and improve their welfare.

The study is expected to be completed in 24 months.