The capital of Tchad, N’Djamena, is currently hosting a pivotal three-day national workshop focused on strengthening groundwater governance. Bringing together over fifty key stakeholders from public institutions, technical and financial partners, civil society, and user groups, this gathering seeks to develop a consensus-driven, multi-stakeholder action plan to enhance both the quantity and quality of groundwater resources across the country.

Groundwater represents a lifeline for Tchad, particularly in regions grappling with climate-induced water scarcity. These hidden reserves support essential services such as drinking water supply, agricultural irrigation, pastoral systems, and urban development—especially in areas where surface water is increasingly unreliable. The workshop was designed to address these critical challenges by fostering collaboration among diverse actors to create a robust framework for sustainable groundwater management.

During the opening session, Natascha Paddison, UNICEF Representative in Tchad, emphasized the workshop’s significance in ensuring equitable access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for every child. She highlighted how decisions made about groundwater directly impact human health, education, and dignity, shaping the nation’s future human capital. “Groundwater must serve as a safeguard for health, not a source of risk, and a catalyst for development rather than conflict,” she stated, urging participants to leverage this opportunity to build lasting solutions.

Over the next three days, experts will pool their expertise, assess priority risks, and co-design actionable strategies. The workshop also reflects Tchad’s commitment to preserving groundwater as a strategic resource for future generations, ensuring its availability for agriculture, communities, and economic growth.

Fatimé Hassan, Director General of Water Resources in Tchad, outlined the workshop’s goals: to establish a shared understanding of the country’s groundwater challenges, pinpoint governance gaps, and outline concrete steps for implementation. The outcomes will be documented in a comprehensive report and a technical guidance note, integrating findings from the 2026 national groundwater risk assessment.

Participants include representatives from national water authorities, sectoral ministries, regional organizations, technical and financial partners, UN agencies, NGOs, private sector actors, user groups, and academic experts. Their collective efforts aim to produce actionable recommendations for more effective, inclusive, and sustainable groundwater governance in Tchad.