water_on_hand_GAFA. Photo courtesy
More than 150,000 people in Ethiopia’s Somali Region will soon gain reliable access to clean and safe water, following the launch of a new partnership between the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The initiative falls under the Groundwater Access Facility for Africa (GAFA) and is valued at more than USD 6.2 million.
Over the next 24 months, the project will deploy state-of-the-art drilling rigs and install solar-powered water systems across four priority locations: Jigjiga, Dhanaan, Birkot, and Dhagahbour.
The investment will deliver 20 new boreholes designed to serve not only local households but also 34 health facilities and 59 schools, directly improving health, education, and livelihoods in one of Ethiopia’s most water-stressed regions.
A Region in Need
Ethiopia’s Somali Region, home to large pastoralist communities, continues to face severe water scarcity.
Complex hydrogeological conditions combined with low and erratic rainfall mean that access to safe water remains far below national levels.
According to recent data, only 42% of households in the region currently have access to improved drinking water sources, compared with the national average of 65%.
H.E. Mustefe Mohammed, President of the Somali Region. Photo courtesy
H.E. Mustefe Mohammed, President of the Somali Region, underscored both the progress made and the work that still lies ahead.
“The region has made significant progress on increasing the water supply coverage from 19% to 50.8%, but significant investment is still required to meet the WASH needs of our community. The project we officially launched today with CIFF and UNDP is part of our ongoing long-term partnership.”
By expanding community systems and strengthening social services, the GAFA initiative aims to improve health and education outcomes, reduce tensions linked to water scarcity, and help communities adapt to climate pressures.
Building for the Long Term
Beyond infrastructure, the project places a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Capacity building will be delivered to local water utilities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, and water technicians, equipping them with the skills to operate and maintain solar-powered groundwater systems.
Zeynu Ummer, Director of the UNDP Resilience Hub for Africa, described the approach as an example of how partnerships can deliver practical, lasting solutions.
“This partnership is a powerful example of how innovation, collaboration, and local leadership can deliver sustainable solutions to water insecurity. By combining CIFF’s investment with UNDP’s technical expertise and the government’s commitment, we are building a model for scalable water access across Africa.”
Government Backing
The Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Somali Regional State are contributing in-kind support to the project.
The Ministry of Water and Energy has also committed to ensuring effective implementation.
H.E. Motuma Mekassa, Special Advisor to the Minister of Water and Energy at the State Minister level, reaffirmed this commitment:
“The Ministry of Water and Energy acknowledges and extends its sincere appreciation to CIFF and UNDP for the launch of the productive use of water project for the needy people of Somali Region. The Ministry of Water and Energy will further provide for the successful and smooth implementation of the project as it did during the project development process.”
Children and Communities at the Center
CIFF, one of the world’s largest philanthropy dedicated to improving children’s lives, emphasized that the project is not just about infrastructure, but about resilience.
Richard Matikanya, CIFF’s Deputy Executive Director for Africa, explained:
“CIFF is proud to support this initiative that brings together two essentials for the Somali Region’s future: resilient communities and reliable access to safe water. By investing in both, we help children, women, and pastoralist communities not only survive but thrive in the face of climate challenges.”
Aligning with Ethiopia’s National Strategy
The GAFA initiative builds on more than a decade of hydrogeological research and draws from UNDP’s extensive experience in groundwater development across Africa.
It is also aligned with Ethiopia’s national water strategy, which prioritizes sustainable solutions and community-led water management.
The programme was officially launched in Jigjiga in May 2024.
It will be delivered under the leadership of the UNDP Resilience Hub for Africa and UNDP Ethiopia, in close collaboration with the Somali Regional Government.
World Vision is providing technical support, while a joint board and technical committee will oversee implementation to ensure transparency, accountability, and local ownership.
Following a three-month inception period, the first drilling phase is scheduled to begin in November 2025.
Once complete, the systems will expand access to safe drinking water, ease the burden on women and children who often travel long distances to fetch water, and open opportunities for improved health and education in the Somali Region.
A Model for Africa
The Somali Region project is being positioned as a model for other water-scarce areas across the continent.
By blending philanthropy, government commitment, and international expertise, the initiative highlights how multi-stakeholder collaboration can address pressing development challenges.
As climate change intensifies drought cycles and increases pressure on fragile ecosystems, projects like GAFA will be vital in ensuring communities are not left behind.
For Ethiopia’s Somali Region, the launch marks not just an investment in water infrastructure, but a step toward a more resilient and secure future.
