45% of people in Ghana, Niger and Nigeria live in areas of high water risk, study finds

Published on : 12 Nov 2025, 8:56 am Summary

New WaterAid–Tree Aid study finds 45% of people in Ghana, Niger and Nigeria face high water risk.

Deforestation directly linked to the loss and contamination of freshwater systems.

Over 122 million people now exposed to unsafe drinking water — 20 million more than five years ago.

Niger faces the worst crisis, with 99.5% of freshwater at risk of sedimentation and poor quality.

Experts urge governments to integrate forest and water priorities into climate and adaptation plans.

A growing water crisis is unfolding across West Africa, putting millions of lives at risk, according to a new study by WaterAid and Tree Aid.

The report, From Roots to Rivers: How Deforestation Impacts Freshwater Access , finds that 45 per cent of people — mor