As part of its policy of managing its water resources, the government of Cape Verde is increasing the number of acts of cooperation, the most recent of which is the memorandum of understanding signed with Morocco. Under this agreement, the Kingdom of Morocco will contribute its expertise to the West African country, particularly in the areas of groundwater management and river basin agencies.
The technical and institutional cooperation agreement was signed on 18 September 2023 between Morocco’s Minister of Public Works and Water, Nizar Baraka, and Gilberto Silva, Cape Verde’s Minister of Agriculture and the Environment. “Morocco has significant experience in water management, having carried out a wide range of projects. Morocco also has experience in drafting laws relating to the management of this resource. So, we will be supporting Cape Verde voluntarily and responsibly,” promised Minister Nizar Baraka on Monday.
While Cape Verde has managed to achieve drinking water coverage of 90% in urban areas and 86% in rural areas since 2011, according to the French Development Agency (AFD), this result conceals clear disparities between municipalities, with unit consumption levels often low, reflecting the inadequacy of water resources, the difficulties of distribution by tanker lorries or standpipes, and the inadequate technical and financial performance of services.
These disparities are compounded by climatic challenges, in particular drought, which has since reached a critical level in Cape Verde, reducing water resources for households and irrigation. This situation prompted the Cape Verdean government to declare a “water emergency” throughout the country on 7 January 2020.
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In view of its expertise in implementing hydraulic projects and its knowledge of the consequences of drought, Morocco will support the strengthening of groundwater and surface water governance in the archipelago located in West Africa, the management of catchment basin agencies, the monitoring of water costs, the development of water resource management policies, and the development of awareness-raising measures for the guidance and protection of water.
Cape Verdean technicians in the water sector will also be trained in the desalination of sea water for irrigation. Making the most of this unconventional water resource should help to improve agricultural practices and the livelihoods of the people of Cape Verde.
Inès Magoum
