Governance of groundwater abstraction — Gambia

01Context

Gambia faces increasing pressure on its groundwater resources, in a context of climate variability and growing demand.

The authorities sought to equip the country with a governance framework and operational tools to sustainably regulate abstraction.

02Key challenges

Sustainably mobilizing and securing the resource requires precise knowledge of its geometry, productivity and quality.

The challenge was to strengthen decision-making by reducing hydrogeological uncertainties.

03Mission objectives

• Review the existing governance, legal and regulatory framework
• Propose a national monitoring system for abstraction and resources
• Develop an action plan for abstraction management

04Services provided by EAU-GEF

• Review of regulatory and institutional frameworks for groundwater management
• Reform matrix and recommended adjustments
• Strategy for monitoring groundwater availability and quality
• Contribution to the national action plan

05Approach & methodology

The approach combined desk review, field investigations, geophysics and hydrogeological interpretation to clarify system functioning.

Results were spatialised to objectify decisions and guide infrastructure development.

06Results & added value

The mission provided the client with a solid and well-documented basis for sustainable management and mobilization of the resource.

It demonstrates EAU-GEF's expertise across the entire hydrogeological study chain.