Africa holds 0.66 million cubic kilometers of groundwater, nearly 20 times more than all its lakes combined.
A new continent-wide digital map is being created to identify safe groundwater extraction zones and potential contamination risks.
Northern African aquifers contain non-renewable 'fossil water,' while sub-Saharan aquifers are generally renewable through rainfall.
Scientists are installing advanced monitoring sensors in shared cross-border aquifers to ensure sustainable and equitable water usage.