Saving water in Africa’s drylands: The hidden power of tees
22nd March 2025
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As we recognise World Water Day 2025, the need to highlight water conservation challenges has never been more apparent. In regions like Africa's drylands, where temperatures are rising 1.5 times faster than the global average, saving water is essential to the survival and well-being of both communities and the forests they depend on.
Africa's drylands receive as much rainfall annually as the UK—around 600 to 900mm. But here's the catch: it all falls in just a few months, from June to September.
In countries like Burkina Faso, where daytime temperatures can soar to 39°C, much of this water is lost to evaporation or runoff. The result? When the rains do come, they struggle to penetrate the dried, degraded earth, leading to flash-flooding or run-off.
But there is hope. There is a vital natural solution in the fight for water security - trees.
How trees help water conservation efforts
Soil next to a water bouli during the dry season, moist and benefiting from collected rainwater - Burkina Faso.
Trees are nature’s water savers, preserving precious water year-round. Their roots help to keep water in the ground and break up compacted soil, letting rain soak in and boosting the soil’s natural fertility. This helps prevent erosion, protect riverbanks, and maintain groundwater levels.
For nearly 40 years, our community-led projects have shown that growing the right trees in the right places, is an effective way to save water and protect the environment for future generations.
Trees as natural engineers
Aerial view of a river in Niger, its banks benefiting from the surrounding trees that prevent soil erosion.
For many communities living in dryland Africa, soil erosion is a huge challenge. Made worse by the climate crisis, dry and unstable soil means that rivers are overflowing their natural banks and drying out. Our experience shows that restoring forests and growing trees along riverbanks helps stabilise soil and keep water in rivers.
In Ghana's Bongo District, we're working with 1,600 people across 20 communities to grow over 200,000 trees, protecting 450 hectares of land around the VEA Dam reservoir area.
Modern tools and ancient techniques
Water boulis
Saidou Zoungrana, a project participant, pictured next to a water bouli still filled with water at the end of Burkina Faso's dry season.
These huge pits are dug into the ground and left to collect rainwater. Around 30 metres across and 3 metres deep, each one can hold about 2,500 cubic metres of water - equivalent to an Olympic swimming pool! These incredible natural solutions help to provide year-round access to water, even during the dry months when very little rain falls. Over time, water boulis create hubs of life for surrounding vegetation and wildlife, and provide much-needed water sources for communities.
Solar-powered innovation
An aerial view of a solar-powered borehole, Ghana.
Modern technology’s answer to water conservation – introducing solar-powered boreholes! This tool works by using energy from the sun to pump water from deep underground, before delivering it to community nurseries and nutrition gardens.
Boreholes provide reliable water access for drinking, washing, and irrigation, and are essential for helping young trees flourish in tree nurseries, ultimately giving them the best chance to survive when planted out in forest areas.
Community-led conservation
Participants from Tree Aid's Tond Tenga project, holding tree seedlings ready for planting - Burkina Faso.
Our projects, driven by local knowledge, show that lasting impact comes when communities are put in the driving seat of restoration efforts. By working together and advocating for a forest governance approach, we ensure that restoration and positive climate impact is sustainable, creating long-lasting and brighter futures for communities.
What next?
Daniel Bikpe, a project participant, practicing agroforestry in Ghana.
As the effects of the climate crisis continue to be felt, trees are providing a critical natural solution. By combining local wisdom with cutting-edge technology, we can continue working together to create sustainable solutions to water scarcity across African drylands.