Status of drinking water supply and water stress levels in the African Great Lakes region: a time-series analysis from 1980 to 2020

Abstract

Freshwater is the most important resource because it is vital for human health, agriculture, the environment, urbanisation, and sustainable economic growth. This study uses time-series analysis of World Bank data for the period 1980–2020 to analyse status of drinking water supply in the African Great Lakes region. The results show that Kenya has been a water-stressed country since 2010, as it is withdrawing more than 25% of its renewable freshwater resources, while Rwanda is likely to soon become a water-stressed country, while Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda are far from being water-stressed countries. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, freshwater resources are used the least, which is attributed to the political instability and conflict cycles in the country. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, clean water and sanitation for all, in the study area by 2030, Tanzania and Uganda will have to quadruple their current efforts, while Rwanda and Kenya will have to increase their current efforts sixfold, and Burundi will have to increase its current efforts eightfold, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo will have to increase its current efforts 30 times, which is almost impossible; these efforts should be reflected in the budgets of the water sector.