West Africa water crisis

November 17, 2025

A new study by WaterAid and Tree Aid warns of an escalating water crisis across West Africa, putting millions at risk. The report, From Roots to Rivers: How Deforestation Impacts Freshwater Access, finds that 45 per cent of the population—over 122 million people across Ghana, Niger, and Nigeria—now face unsafe drinking water, an increase of 20 million in just five years. The study directly links this trend to deforestation and the loss of vegetation that sustains freshwater systems.

Forests and vegetation play a critical role in maintaining freshwater resources. They stabilise soils, filter pollutants, and regulate rainfall. Their destruction disrupts these natural processes, threatening the reliability of water supplies used for drinking, agriculture, and health.

The study analysed 12 years of satellite data from 2013 to 2025 to examine vegetation, rainfall, and water coverage across the three countries. In Niger and Nigeria, every 1,000 hectares of forest lost corresponds to an average loss of 9.25 hectares of surface water, with Nigeria losing 6.9 hectares and Niger 11.6 hectares per 1,000 hectares of forest. In Ghana, deforestation primarily affects water quality rather than quantity.

The impacts are compounded by climate change. Heavy rainfall, without vegetation to filter it or stabilise soil, carries sediment and pollutants into rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. This reduces groundwater absorption, diminishes available drinking water, and degrades water quality over time.

Niger faces the most severe challenge, with 99.5 per cent of surface freshwater now at risk of sedimentation and contamination. In Nigeria, 85.6 million people live in areas highly vulnerable to surface water loss due to deforestation. In Ghana, water contamination remains the primary concern, with 298,000 hectares of vegetation lost annually between 2013 and 2025—an area roughly equivalent to the size of Edinburgh each year. Nigeria lost 324,000 hectares annually, comparable to Birmingham in size. Niger, however, showed modest improvement with a gain of 101,000 hectares of vegetation.

The report emphasises that water security in West Africa is inseparable from forest management. WaterAid and Tree Aid urge policymakers to integrate forest and water priorities into climate and adaptation plans. Investments should focus on climate-resilient, equitable water services, prioritising vulnerable communities and ensuring universal access to safe water.

This study highlights that without immediate action on deforestation and integrated water management, millions in West Africa will continue to face growing risks to clean and reliable water.