There are times when the high demand for water in West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, surpasses the supply, or when poor quality makes it difficult to use. Freshwater resources suffer from a decline in quantity due to water stress (dry rivers, over-exploitation of aquifers, etc.). Because of this scarcity, disputes between consumers of water are common. Uncontrolled urban growth makes poor sanitation worse since treated wastewater is thrown into rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

Space technology and data needs for a solution:

- Earth Observation (EO)-based mapping for rainwater harvesting, desalination using the UV, water reuse, and conservation.

Physical needs for a solution:

Manpower, capacity building, organizing sensitization workshops, and creation of a technological hub to process water-related Earth observation datasets