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Study maps Africa's water needs

A study published in Nature on 28 October 2026 estimates Africa's annual water demand in 2020 at 347 km³, with irrigation accounting for 65%. The total covers the whole continent, not only sub-Saharan Africa.

Researchers combine data and modelling across six sectors. Nigeria is among the high-demand countries; some southern African areas exceed estimated availability.

The authors distinguish needs from actual consumption. Data gaps and assumptions about ecosystem protection limit local precision. Sufficient physical availability does not guarantee access to piped water.

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