SMAS: Steering Committee strengthens regional momentum on groundwater

Saly, Senegal – 1–2 October 2026

In Africa, groundwater is a strategic resource for supplying water to people, supporting agriculture and building the resilience of territories, at a time when needs are growing and climate change is increasing pressure on available resources. Shared by The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal, the Senegalo-Mauritanian Aquifer System (SMAS) illustrates these challenges fully. Convened in Saly under OSS coordination, the SMAS Project Steering Committee reviewed progress and set priorities to strengthen knowledge and joint management of this transboundary resource.

As the executing agency, the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) convened the Steering Committee of the SMAS project, "Strengthening the sustainable management of the Senegalo-Mauritanian Aquifer System to ensure access to water for populations facing climate change", on 1 and 2 October 2026 in Saly.

The meeting brought together representatives of The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal, as well as the Secretariat of the Senegalo-Mauritanian Aquifer Basin (BASM), OMVS, OMVG, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and project experts.

Taking stock and preparing the way forward
The Committee reviewed project progress, results achieved and difficulties encountered. The aim was to identify necessary adjustments and set priorities for the next phase.

OSS presented the activity report as of 30 September 2026, the financial status and the work programme for the coming months. Partners then examined the recommendations and agreed on the main directions to follow.

The second day was devoted to finalizing these recommendations and adopting the session report, which will guide the next stage of the project.

Strengthening cooperation among the four countries
Discussions also covered initiatives that go beyond the SMAS project and help strengthen cooperation around this shared resource.

The draft convention on the BASM and the AGBASM project – Support for the Management of the Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin, funded by Italian Cooperation – were among the topics addressed.

These initiatives pursue a common goal: to strengthen cooperation among the countries and build, over the long term, concerted management of shared groundwater.

Knowing groundwater better to manage it better
Often less visible than surface water, groundwater nevertheless plays an essential role in water security, agriculture and climate change adaptation in Africa. Knowing, monitoring and sustainably managing it is all the more important when it is shared among several countries.

Managing a transboundary aquifer therefore requires better knowledge of the resource, data sharing, strengthened institutional capacities and greater alignment of the four countries' approaches.

The SMAS project contributes to this dynamic by producing knowledge and tools to better inform decisions and support the sustainable management of the resource.

OSS: at the crossroads of science, cooperation and decision-making
Drawing on its experience in transboundary groundwater management in Africa, OSS supports the four countries and facilitates dialogue among experts, national and regional institutions, and project partners.

As the executing agency, it coordinates SMAS activities and ensures that the knowledge and tools developed can be used by the countries to better manage this common resource.

Funded by the GEF through UNEP, the project thus helps improve knowledge of groundwater, strengthen institutional capacities and develop decision-support tools.

Following the Saly Steering Committee, the priorities are clear: continue the actions under way, consolidate the project's achievements and strengthen cooperation among the four countries, in the service of water security and the resilience of populations in the face of climate change.