Water in Africa : the paradoxes of a highly-coveted resource

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Systèmes d'information géographique participatifs (SIG-P) dans la gestion des ressources naturelles et la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique : ict4d article, janvier 2011This paper presents some thoughts on the status of fresh water in Africa, water for consumption and irrigation, and to meet the need for increased resources in cereals in a context of growth and densification of populations. It addresses some important concerns: the water situation in relation to the issue of climate change; the challenge of people's access to water in sufficient quantity and of good quality; and issues raised by the privatization of access to water (dilemma between solvency and solidarity)