World Bank Report: Smarter Water Use Could Generate 245 Million Jobs in Africa
A groundbreaking report from the World Bank Group has revealed that rebalancing water use across the global food system is not only essential for meeting future food demand sustainably but also has the potential to create an estimated 245 million long-term jobs, with the majority of these opportunities emerging in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report, titled 'Nourish and Flourish: Water Solutions to Feed 10 billion People on a Livable Planet', underscores the critical need to address current agricultural water management practices, which are characterized by overuse in some nations and underuse in others.
Current Challenges and Future Demands
The World Bank report points out that existing water management strategies can only sustainably support food production for less than half of the global population. With projections indicating that the world will need to feed 10 billion people by 2050, the urgency for change is clear. The report emphasizes that addressing both the depletion of water in stressed regions and the untapped potential in water-abundant areas is vital to achieving sustainable food security.
A New Framework for Agricultural Water Management
To tackle these challenges, the report introduces a novel framework that links water availability with food production and trade. This framework categorizes countries based on their water stress levels and their status as food importers or exporters. It aims to identify key areas for action:
- Where expanding rain-fed agriculture can boost food production.
- Where investments in irrigation can unlock significant job creation and economic growth.
- Where water use must be rebalanced to protect ecosystems and ensure future productivity.
- Where trade offers a more sustainable alternative to local production.
Expert Insights and Economic Implications
Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group, commented on the report's findings, stating, "The way we manage water for food will have profound implications for jobs, livelihoods and economic growth. By making smarter choices about where crops are grown, how water is allocated, and how trade supports food security, we can strengthen resilience, expand opportunity and safeguard the resources which we all rely on."
Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Planet at the World Bank Group, added, "When investments in infrastructure and natural resources, business-enabling policies, and private capital mobilisation come together, the impact can be greater than the sum of its parts. By linking global evidence with country realities, this framework can help policymakers navigate trade-offs and adapt food production to today’s water and climate realities—delivering food, jobs, and resilience together."
Investment Needs and Financial Strategies
The report estimates that expanding irrigation in water-available regions, along with modernizing existing systems, will require an additional annual investment of $24 to $70 billion through 2050. Currently, governments spend approximately $490 billion per year on agricultural support, with a significant portion allocated to subsidies. The World Bank suggests that redirecting some of this spending, combined with regulatory reforms, blended finance, and public-private partnerships, could attract private capital, including co-investments from farmers, to support financially sustainable water and food security initiatives.
This comprehensive approach not only aims to address immediate food and water challenges but also positions Sub-Saharan Africa as a key beneficiary in terms of job creation and economic development, highlighting the transformative potential of smarter water management practices on a global scale.
