Current status of agricultural water management in Africa: progress, challenges, and opportunities

The main findings have shown notable gains since 2000, more than 3 million ha of rehabilitated watersheds, roughly 2 million hectares of new FLID, and urban pilots that recycle nutrient-rich wastewater, however, with deep structural constraints. Fewer than 60% of large public schemes operate at design capacity; cost recovery averages less than 40% of operation and maintenance (O&M); hydrological monitoring networks have declined by 40% since the 1980s; and women control less than 15% of irrigated land. Solar pumps, digital advisory services, blended finance instruments, and climate-smart integration are identified as accelerators. The chapter concludes with a policy agenda aligned to Agenda 2063 and SDG 2, emphasizing national AWM masterplans, scheme modernization, gender-responsive finance, watershed payments for ecosystem services, and interoperable data platforms. Accelerated, context-specific AWM can unlock substantial gains in food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods over the coming decade.