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Science in Support of Natural Resource Sustainability, Economic Development and Good Governance.
The USGS has a long history of cooperative science with partners in Africa, most notably geologic mapping and mineral resources assessment programs in Libya (1954-1962), Liberia (1970s and 1980s), Morocco (1998-2005), Madagascar (2003-2006), and Mauritania (2006-2008, 2011-20013). The USGS also had a long-term science diplomacy partnership with UNESCO (1993-2019), the Reduction of Earthquake Loss in the Extended Mediterranean Region (RELEMR) program which brought Arab and Israeli seismologists and earthquake engineers together to better understand and mitigate earthquake hazards in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Currently, the USGS has cooperative agreements in-force with institutions in Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, and have active projects in Angola, Kenya, Ethiopia and Niger.
Following are short descriptions and links to recent and on-going USGS cooperative science projects and other activities in and related to Africa, associated with Water Resources, Energy and Mineral Resources, Natural Hazards, and Earth Observation / Land Change Analysis.
This project, begun in 2016, uses satellite remote sensing and subsurface data to identify areas of increased potential for groundwater development in arid lands.
The USGS established an MOU with the Angola Geological Institute (IGEO) in November 2023 and initiated a project to evaluate Angola’s critical mineral resources in October 2024. This project will compile, analyze, and interpret newly acquire geologic, geochemical and geophysical data and spectroscopic data to produce prospectivity maps for selected critical mineral deposit types.
From 2021-2023 the USGS conducted two separate projects evaluating 1) the REE potential of eastern Botswana and 2) the artisanal and small-scale mining of cobalt in the Copperbelt region of the DRC and Zambia.
The USGS has had a long-standing engagement with US government interagency partners to document the nature and scope of conflict mineral production in Africa and the role that artisanal and small-scale mining plays in these activities. While initially focused on conflict diamonds in support of the Kimberly Process, this work now is being applied to other conflict and critical mineral commodities such as gold, tin, tantalum, tungsten, and cobalt.
The USGS assesses potential for undiscovered conventional and unconventional oil and gas resources in priority geologic provinces throughout the World. In Africa, the most recent assessments include those for,
Postsalt Reservoirs of the West-Central Coastal Province of Africa, 2022
Presalt Reservoirs of the West-Central Coastal Province of Africa, 2022
Offshore East Africa and the Seychelles, 2022
Offshore Salt Basin Area of Morocco, 2021
Senegal Basin Province of Northwest Africa, 2021
Sirte and Pelagian Basin Provinces of Libya, Tunisia, Malta, and Italy, 2019
Shale-Oil Resources of the Sirte Basin Province, Libya, 2019
Grand Erg/Ahnet Province, Algeria, 2018
Reggane Basin Province, Algeria, 2018
Tindouf Basin Province, North Africa, 2018
The USGS National Minerals Information Center (NMIC) produces annual Mineral Industry Surveys for African countries that are designed to provide timely statistical data on mineral commodities in each country. These can be accessed from the Minerals Yearbook Volume III: Area Reports-International-Africa and the Middle East. Each report includes sections on government policies and programs, environmental issues, trade and production data, industry structure and ownership, commodity sector developments, infrastructure, and a summary outlook.
The USGS NMIC also conducts special studies on materials flow and mineral supply chain analysis. These have included Africa-focused projects that have documented Africa’s energy and mineral industries and related infrastructure, energy-critical mineral supply potential, as well as critical mineral production and the roles played by external actors and the artisanal mining sector.
The USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) has helped build capacity at volcano observatories and responded to volcanic events in Africa. These have included programs at the Karthala Volcano Observatory in the Comoros, at the Goma Volcano Observatory in the eastern DRC, and a monitoring program in Equatorial Guinea for Pico Basile volcano.
The USGS Earthquake Hazards assistance Team (EDAT) responded to the September 2023 Morocco Earthquake by immediately sharing aftershock advisories and forecasts with Moroccan partners. EDAT also supported efforts to document the source characteristics of this significant damaging earthquake, to better understand how an enigmatic region of active surface faulting, and low seismicity produced significant damage and loss of life.
Formed in partnership among the USGS, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and EarthScope, the GSN provides near-uniform, worldwide monitoring of the Earth, with approximately 150 modern seismic stations distributed globally. GSN stations are operated by the USGS Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory, EarthScope, and other affiliate organizations.
Data from the GSN are archived at the IRIS Data Management Center.
Within Africa, GSN stations are located in Botswana, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia.
USGS has had a long-term partnership with other US government agencies (NOAA, USDA, NASA) and NGOs to provide advance projections on drought and flood-related food shortages. The USGS provides expertise and training in satellite data acquisition, processing and interpretation with international partners in the Sahel and sub-Saharan regions of Africa.
The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.
The USGS uses its 50+ years of Landsat satellite and other earth observation imagery to document changes on the landscape through time. In West Africa, the Sahel and Malawi, the USGS has worked with numerous international partner agencies to build local capacity to use and interpret this data. This work supports the monitoring of regional land use patterns and change, deforestation, desertification, and threats to biodiversity.
Gray Tappan and Francis Dwomoh discuss Landsat's contribution to the studies they have conducted regarding landscape changes in West Africa.
Sampling location at the Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana highlighting the highly turbid water found near mining sites.
Sampling location at the Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana highlighting the highly turbid water found near mining sites.
Grated cassava root soaking in alum-processed river water, Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana.
Grated cassava root soaking in alum-processed river water, Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana.
USGS chemist Grace Armstrong collecting a sediment core for mercury analysis at the Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana.
USGS chemist Grace Armstrong collecting a sediment core for mercury analysis at the Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana.
Trainees in the remote sensing class working to develop potential groundwater maps from multiple satellite data sources.
Trainees in the remote sensing class working to develop potential groundwater maps from multiple satellite data sources.
Kolobeng River, Botswana, downstream of a streamflow monitoring station currently recording zero streamflow.
Kolobeng River, Botswana, downstream of a streamflow monitoring station currently recording zero streamflow.
USGS employees John Lane (L) and Molly Wood (R) learning about field processes conducted at a streamgage on the Limpopo River near Mahalapye, Botswana.
USGS employees John Lane (L) and Molly Wood (R) learning about field processes conducted at a streamgage on the Limpopo River near Mahalapye, Botswana.
Letsibogo Dam, Botswana’s third largest dam based on capacity, currently at 40 percent capacity due to the drought.
Letsibogo Dam, Botswana’s third largest dam based on capacity, currently at 40 percent capacity due to the drought.
Calf drinking from an overflow point at a groundwater pump station in Mahalapye, Botswana.
Calf drinking from an overflow point at a groundwater pump station in Mahalapye, Botswana.
USGS employees Molly Wood (L) and John Lane (R) visiting a managed aquifer recharge injection well pilot site operated by the Botswana Ministry of Land Management and Sanitation Services, Department of Water and Sanitation, Mahalapye, Botswana.
USGS employees Molly Wood (L) and John Lane (R) visiting a managed aquifer recharge injection well pilot site operated by the Botswana Ministry of Land Management and Sanitation Services, Department of Water and Sanitation, Mahalapye, Botswana.
Banner presenting the Tana and Athi River basin groundwater mapping project outside the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (Maji House) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Banner presenting the Tana and Athi River basin groundwater mapping project outside the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (Maji House) in Nairobi, Kenya.
USGS employees Molly Wood (3rd from left) and John Lane (3rd from right) with staff from the Namibia Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, after a workshop on geophysics data collection.
USGS employees Molly Wood (3rd from left) and John Lane (3rd from right) with staff from the Namibia Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, after a workshop on geophysics data collection.
Aerial photograph of the arid Namibian landscape near Windhoek showing ephemeral streambeds.
Aerial photograph of the arid Namibian landscape near Windhoek showing ephemeral streambeds.
Trainees displaying their completion certificates from Capacity Building classes (Remote Sensing and Hydrogeology) at the Kenya School of Government, Mombasa, Kenya.
Trainees displaying their completion certificates from Capacity Building classes (Remote Sensing and Hydrogeology) at the Kenya School of Government, Mombasa, Kenya.
Dry riverbeds like this one are common in arid and semi arid regions in Kenya in the dry seasons and highlight the need for access to groundwater.
Dry riverbeds like this one are common in arid and semi arid regions in Kenya in the dry seasons and highlight the need for access to groundwater.
Rural water distribution center near Maji Ya Chumvi in Kwale County, Kenya. Note water tank on roof.
Rural water distribution center near Maji Ya Chumvi in Kwale County, Kenya. Note water tank on roof.
The hydrogeology training was held in August and September 2024 at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa. It covered the analysis of aquifer testing results and an introduction to groundwater and surface water field methods. The training consisted of a series of lectures and hands-on exercises.
The hydrogeology training was held in August and September 2024 at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa. It covered the analysis of aquifer testing results and an introduction to groundwater and surface water field methods. The training consisted of a series of lectures and hands-on exercises.
The hydrogeology training was held in August and September 2024 at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa. It covered the analysis of aquifer testing results and an introduction to groundwater and surface water field methods. The training consisted of a series of lectures and hands-on exercises.
The hydrogeology training was held in August and September 2024 at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa. It covered the analysis of aquifer testing results and an introduction to groundwater and surface water field methods. The training consisted of a series of lectures and hands-on exercises.
Trainees displaying their completion certificates from Capacity Building classes (Remote Sensing and Hydrogeology) at ICPAC, Ngong Town, Kenya.
Trainees displaying their completion certificates from Capacity Building classes (Remote Sensing and Hydrogeology) at ICPAC, Ngong Town, Kenya.
Pico Basile volcano, located on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea (western Africa).
Pico Basile volcano, located on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea (western Africa).
The UNGE team with a newly installed seismic station. Also pictured is Dr. Christine Sealing (Fulbright Specialist), top row second from left, and Aaron Rinehart (USAID-USGS VDAP) bottom row second from right.
The UNGE team with a newly installed seismic station. Also pictured is Dr. Christine Sealing (Fulbright Specialist), top row second from left, and Aaron Rinehart (USAID-USGS VDAP) bottom row second from right.
Dr. Cliff Taylor in field with colleagues of the Botswana Geoscience, eastern Botswana.
Dr. Cliff Taylor in field with colleagues of the Botswana Geoscience, eastern Botswana.
Sampling location at the Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana highlighting the highly turbid water found near mining sites.
Sampling location at the Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana highlighting the highly turbid water found near mining sites.
Grated cassava root soaking in alum-processed river water, Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana.
Grated cassava root soaking in alum-processed river water, Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana.
USGS chemist Grace Armstrong collecting a sediment core for mercury analysis at the Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana.
USGS chemist Grace Armstrong collecting a sediment core for mercury analysis at the Kukuavile community along Ankobra River, Ghana.
Trainees in the remote sensing class working to develop potential groundwater maps from multiple satellite data sources.
Trainees in the remote sensing class working to develop potential groundwater maps from multiple satellite data sources.
Kolobeng River, Botswana, downstream of a streamflow monitoring station currently recording zero streamflow.
Kolobeng River, Botswana, downstream of a streamflow monitoring station currently recording zero streamflow.
USGS employees John Lane (L) and Molly Wood (R) learning about field processes conducted at a streamgage on the Limpopo River near Mahalapye, Botswana.
USGS employees John Lane (L) and Molly Wood (R) learning about field processes conducted at a streamgage on the Limpopo River near Mahalapye, Botswana.
Letsibogo Dam, Botswana’s third largest dam based on capacity, currently at 40 percent capacity due to the drought.
Letsibogo Dam, Botswana’s third largest dam based on capacity, currently at 40 percent capacity due to the drought.
Calf drinking from an overflow point at a groundwater pump station in Mahalapye, Botswana.
Calf drinking from an overflow point at a groundwater pump station in Mahalapye, Botswana.
USGS employees Molly Wood (L) and John Lane (R) visiting a managed aquifer recharge injection well pilot site operated by the Botswana Ministry of Land Management and Sanitation Services, Department of Water and Sanitation, Mahalapye, Botswana.
USGS employees Molly Wood (L) and John Lane (R) visiting a managed aquifer recharge injection well pilot site operated by the Botswana Ministry of Land Management and Sanitation Services, Department of Water and Sanitation, Mahalapye, Botswana.
Banner presenting the Tana and Athi River basin groundwater mapping project outside the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (Maji House) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Banner presenting the Tana and Athi River basin groundwater mapping project outside the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (Maji House) in Nairobi, Kenya.
USGS employees Molly Wood (3rd from left) and John Lane (3rd from right) with staff from the Namibia Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, after a workshop on geophysics data collection.
USGS employees Molly Wood (3rd from left) and John Lane (3rd from right) with staff from the Namibia Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, after a workshop on geophysics data collection.
Aerial photograph of the arid Namibian landscape near Windhoek showing ephemeral streambeds.
Aerial photograph of the arid Namibian landscape near Windhoek showing ephemeral streambeds.
Trainees displaying their completion certificates from Capacity Building classes (Remote Sensing and Hydrogeology) at the Kenya School of Government, Mombasa, Kenya.
Trainees displaying their completion certificates from Capacity Building classes (Remote Sensing and Hydrogeology) at the Kenya School of Government, Mombasa, Kenya.
Dry riverbeds like this one are common in arid and semi arid regions in Kenya in the dry seasons and highlight the need for access to groundwater.
Dry riverbeds like this one are common in arid and semi arid regions in Kenya in the dry seasons and highlight the need for access to groundwater.
Rural water distribution center near Maji Ya Chumvi in Kwale County, Kenya. Note water tank on roof.
Rural water distribution center near Maji Ya Chumvi in Kwale County, Kenya. Note water tank on roof.
The hydrogeology training was held in August and September 2024 at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa. It covered the analysis of aquifer testing results and an introduction to groundwater and surface water field methods. The training consisted of a series of lectures and hands-on exercises.
The hydrogeology training was held in August and September 2024 at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa. It covered the analysis of aquifer testing results and an introduction to groundwater and surface water field methods. The training consisted of a series of lectures and hands-on exercises.
The hydrogeology training was held in August and September 2024 at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa. It covered the analysis of aquifer testing results and an introduction to groundwater and surface water field methods. The training consisted of a series of lectures and hands-on exercises.
The hydrogeology training was held in August and September 2024 at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa. It covered the analysis of aquifer testing results and an introduction to groundwater and surface water field methods. The training consisted of a series of lectures and hands-on exercises.
Trainees displaying their completion certificates from Capacity Building classes (Remote Sensing and Hydrogeology) at ICPAC, Ngong Town, Kenya.
Trainees displaying their completion certificates from Capacity Building classes (Remote Sensing and Hydrogeology) at ICPAC, Ngong Town, Kenya.
Pico Basile volcano, located on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea (western Africa).
Pico Basile volcano, located on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea (western Africa).
The UNGE team with a newly installed seismic station. Also pictured is Dr. Christine Sealing (Fulbright Specialist), top row second from left, and Aaron Rinehart (USAID-USGS VDAP) bottom row second from right.
The UNGE team with a newly installed seismic station. Also pictured is Dr. Christine Sealing (Fulbright Specialist), top row second from left, and Aaron Rinehart (USAID-USGS VDAP) bottom row second from right.
Dr. Cliff Taylor in field with colleagues of the Botswana Geoscience, eastern Botswana.
Dr. Cliff Taylor in field with colleagues of the Botswana Geoscience, eastern Botswana.