Eritrea has achieved a major milestone in its national development, with access to clean and safe water now reaching approximately 85 percent of the population – up from just 13 percent in 1991, according to the Ministry of Information.
The ministry said in a statement that the achievement is the result of targeted investments, a comprehensive legal and policy framework and broad-based development efforts led by the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment.
“The Ministry of Land, Water and Environment has introduced a comprehensive legal and policy framework to guide the sustainable management of water resources,” the statement said.
The country’s water strategy aligns with principles of integrated water resources management and emphasizes inclusive participation in water planning and use across all population groups and economic sectors.
Water access improvements have been particularly notable in rural areas where coverage has expanded from seven percent in 1991 to nearly 80 percent currently.
In urban centres, access has risen from 30 percent to over 92 percent over the same period.
The progress also extends to public institutions, with more than half of Eritrea’s schools now having safe water access while health facilities have seen significant improvements, contributing to better hygiene standards and reduced neonatal mortality.
Eritrea’s arid and semi-arid climate, combined with recurrent droughts, has long posed challenges to water security.
Despite limited groundwater reserves and pressure on rivers, lakes and aquifers, the country has made strategic use of its five major river basins – Setit, Mereb-Gash, Red Sea Basin, Barka-Ansebas, and Danakil Ba – to improve water availability.
A key component of the government’s strategy has been the expansion of water infrastructure.
Since independence, the number of dams and ponds has grown from 138 to nearly 800, significantly boosting the country’s water storage and distribution capacity.
In 2023 alone, 16 micro-dams were completed, with 17 more scheduled for construction in 2024 and 2025.
Eritrea has also partnered with international development organisations to strengthen technical expertise, secure funding and enhance capacity-building, enabling the country to scale sustainable water initiatives and adopt innovative technologies.
To ensure long-term water security, the government is prioritising modern irrigation techniques, pipeline upgrades and conservation technologies, particularly in agriculture, which consumes the bulk of the nation’s freshwater.
The dramatic improvement marks one of the most significant gains in water access on the African continent since independence.
JN/APA