There are more than $ 57 billion in active water and hydropower projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Population growth, rapid urbanization and food security are driving growing demand for sub-Saharan Africa's water resources.  

With a population exceeding 1.1 billion, sub-Saharan Africa is investing more than $11 billion in water projects. More than $ 8 billion worth of water projects are under construction and another $ 3 billion in the pre-execution stage.

Kenya and Ghana are leading the field and both countries have about $ 2 billion in active water projects each. Third place is Zimbabwe with approximately $ 1.5 billion in active water projects.  

Ghana's Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project has a budget of $ 993 million and one of the largest irrigation projects in sub-Saharan Africa. The Thwake multipurpose dam project in Kenya will provide hydropower, irrigation and flood control to the area.   

When hydropower projects are included, the total value of active projects increases dramatically to more than $ 57 billion. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the most projects with 17 billion dollars or 18% of the active project market.

China's Sinohydro Corporation Limited is the largest contractor, followed by China Gezhouba Group Company Limited.   

Source: ABIConsulting