Water stress Initiative

Defined by an arid and semi-arid climate, North Africa is already experiencing the impacts of climate change through growing water stress, declining agricultural yields, and the increasing frequency of extreme events. According to the MedeCC report, the region is warming 20% faster than the global average, with projections indicating a rise of +2.2°C as early as 2040 and up to +3.8°C by the end of the century.

In this context, building resilience and ensuring sustainable water management have become urgent priorities. The French Development Agency (AFD) has placed the preservation of water resources and the development of unconventional solutions at the heart of its strategy—essential measures to ease mounting tensions between limited resources and expanding needs.

Treated wastewater reuse, desalination, demineralization, and the sustainable use of transboundary fossil water emerge as promising options, even though their deployment requires careful consideration of operating conditions, best practices, and potential impacts, particularly environmental risks.

With this vision in mind, the “Water Stress and Climate Change in North Africa” initiative is launched by AFD and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS). Implemented under the Facility for Public Policy and Citizen Dialogue, this 18-month initiative seeks to inform decision-makers, promote the exchange of best practices across the region, and assess the potential contribution of unconventional water resources by 2050.