Category Archives: Africa

Artisanal Dyeing and Tanning in Algeria and Mali: Craftsmanship, Gender, and Nature-Based Solutions

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Across North and West Africa, artisanal dyeing and tanning remain deeply embedded in everyday life, shaping local economies, cultural identities, and social relations. In Algeria and Mali, these practices are not marginal activities but living traditions that connect generations, sustain households, and contribute to regional markets. From hand-dyed textiles to traditionally tanned leather goods, color and craftsmanship carry meaning far beyond aesthetics. Yet behind this richness lies a less visible reality: the growing pressure that artisanal production places on water resources and ecosystems, particularly through the discharge of untreated wastewater. In both countries, artisanal dyeing and tanning are typically carried … Continue reading →

Desalination at the Heart of Algeria’s Green Hydrogen Future: Water Security as a Strategic Energy Lever

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Algeria stands today at the crossroads of two defining transitions: the global shift toward low-carbon energy systems and the intensifying pressure on water resources across arid and semi-arid regions. In this dual transformation, green hydrogen has emerged not only as an industrial opportunity but as a strategic lever capable of reshaping the country’s energy model, export structure, and environmental trajectory. Yet, at the heart of this hydrogen ambition lies a critical enabler that is too often underestimated: desalination. Green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of global decarbonization strategies [1,2]. Unlike … Continue reading →

Desert Locusts: A Major Threat to Food Security in Africa and Africa

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The latest outbreak of locusts over eastern Africa has been ongoing since the beginning of this year. It is considered by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the UN as the worst outbreak of locusts in 70 years. The threat of the desert locust is extreme urgent as it’s a major threat to the food security in the region. Bearing in mind, that this region is extremely vulnerable to the predominant subsistence lifestyle. It also appears that new breeding may have occurred in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia which will intensify the infestation. The question that are foremost in minds … Continue reading →

Waste Management Landscape in Algeria: Challenges and Opportunities

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The waste management sector in Algeria reflects a complex interaction between demographic dynamics, economic transformation, evolving regulatory frameworks, and persistent operational constraints. Over the past two decades, population growth, accelerated urbanization, and changing consumption patterns have led to a steady increase in waste generation, exerting growing pressure on municipal services, local authorities, and natural ecosystems. According to national data compiled by the National Agency of Waste (Agence Nationale des Déchets, AND), Algeria generates more than twelve million tonnes of domestic waste annually, a figure that continues to rise year after year [1]. When industrial, construction, and special waste streams are … Continue reading →

Can Atmospheric Water Generators Resolve Egypt’s Water Crisis?

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Egypt faces an imminent water crisis which could jeopardize the country’s stability and regional dominance. Egypt is currently below the United Nations threshold of water poverty. The current water shortage in Egypt is 13.5 Billion Cubic Meters per year which is expected to continuously increase. According to hydrologists, a country is considered to be facing water scarcity if supplies drop below 1,000 cubic meters per person annually. Egyptian officials state there are currently around 570 cubic meters (150,000 gallons) of water available per person per year. This figure is expected to drop further to 500 cubic meters by 2025. The … Continue reading →

The Promise of Seawater Desalination in Algeria: Perspectives

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Algeria is one of the countries most exposed to water stress in the world. Classified as arid and semi-arid, it relies heavily on limited freshwater resources, with overexploited aquifers and dams often at critical levels during recurrent droughts. In response to this reality, the Algerian government has made seawater desalination a major strategic solution to secure potable water supply while alleviating pressure on natural freshwater resources. This approach goes beyond merely meeting human needs: it also potentially contributes to the preservation of terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems, in line with the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in … Continue reading →

Energy Transition in Algeria: Concrete Levers to Move from Ambition to Action

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Algeria stands at a critical energy crossroads. Long known as one of Africa’s leading producers and exporters of hydrocarbons, the country is now attempting to balance the twin imperatives of maintaining economic stability from oil and gas revenues while accelerating a shift to a cleaner, more diversified energy system. With global pressure to decarbonize mounting and domestic energy demand rising rapidly, Algeria’s energy transition is no longer just a vision, it is becoming a necessary strategic priority. But turning ambition into tangible results requires a careful blend of policy frameworks, incentives, partnerships, and effective implementation. Algeria’s renewable energy potential is … Continue reading →

Water Crisis in Morocco – Response and Challenges

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Water, the most basic and essential resource on Earth, has become a privilege in many parts of the world. It is, without a doubt, one of, if not the most vital, resources for life. However, communities across the globe are increasingly facing drought and scarcity, and we have noticed a significant disparity in access to clean, drinkable water. As of 2022, nearly 500 million people across 19 African nations lack access to clean drinking water. The progress in resolving this issue has been slow due to the overexploitation of these resources, the impacts of climate change, and the historical sequels … Continue reading →

Can Treated Wastewater Help Algeria Overcome Water Scarcity?

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Water scarcity is among the most critical environmental and socio-economic challenges confronting Algeria. Located largely within arid and semi-arid climatic zones, the country experiences highly variable rainfall, frequent droughts, and limited renewable freshwater resources. Per capita renewable water availability in Algeria is estimated at around 404 m³/year, placing the country well below the internationally recognized water scarcity threshold of 1,000 m³/year [1]. Climate change projections indicate further reductions in precipitation, rising temperatures, and increased evapotranspiration, all of which are expected to intensify water stress in the coming decades [2]. In this context, the search for alternative and non-conventional water resources … Continue reading →

Restoring the El Harrach River: A Strategy for Environmental, Urban, and Social Renewal

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The El Harrach River, which flows through some of the most densely populated areas of Algiers, has for several decades become a symbol of the environmental challenges faced by rapidly urbanizing coastal cities. The foul odors that recur regularly are not only a nuisance for residents: they reflect a deep ecological imbalance, chronic pollution, and a deterioration of quality of life. Understanding the origins of these odors and proposing sustainable solutions requires an integrated analysis of the hydraulic, social, urban, industrial, and biological pressures exerted on this watercourse. The Degradation of El Harrach River For years, a significant share of … Continue reading →

Why Algeria Should Become the Regional Hub for Predictive Drought and Water Modeling

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North Africa is entering a new climate era defined by chronic drought, accelerating warming, and unprecedented pressure on water systems that were never designed for this level of stress. Over the last decade, the region has experienced a succession of dry years, but recent analyses from the Copernicus Global Drought Observatory show that since late 2023 the drought signal in northern Africa has been both multi-annual and structurally deeper than past cycles, with pronounced precipitation deficits, rising evapotranspiration, and abnormal land-surface temperatures. These dynamics have led to measurable impacts on groundwater recharge, agricultural productivity, and reservoir inflows, creating a complex … Continue reading →

Role of Algerian Matorrals in Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation

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Matorrals, Mediterranean shrublands including maquis and garrigue form a key component of Algeria’s ecological landscapes. Stretching from coastal zones to foothills and lower mountain belts, they serve as transitional ecosystems between humid northern forests and southern semi-arid steppes. Despite their limited spatial coverage, they host rich biodiversity, including many endemic and xerophytic species, and provide crucial ecosystem services such as soil protection, carbon storage, and hydrological regulation. Their structural diversity and adaptive traits make them among the most resilient vegetation types under Mediterranean climatic stress. Recent national studies and international assessments (IUCN, Plan Bleu) highlight their essential role in land … Continue reading →