Background

The SADC Groundwater Literature Archive (GLA) is a freely accessible online platform created by SADC-GMI to collect, preserve, and share groundwater knowledge from across the region.

The platform hosts over 6,000 documents, including research papers, theses, technical reports, policy documents, maps, and case studies. It serves as a trusted source of information for students, researchers, and decision-makers working to advance sustainable groundwater management in the SADC region.

The most recent phase of the project, implemented under SADC-GMI’s World Bank-supported programme, focuses on making the platform even more user-friendly, increasing engagement across the region, and strengthening partnerships with universities and research institutions to ensure long-term ownership and sustainability.

Project Objectives

The GLA project was designed to achieve several key objectives:

• Centralize groundwater knowledge from across SADC into one accessible digital repository.
• Promote open access to information for research, education, and evidence-based policy development.
• Encourage collaboration among universities, government agencies, and research organizations through knowledge sharing and contributions.
• Preserve institutional memory by safeguarding important historical groundwater studies and data.
• Support better decision-making by providing reliable, regionally relevant information.

Project Progress

Over the past year, the GLA has seen exciting growth and progress across several fronts:

• Platform Upgrade: The GLA system was fully revamped to offer faster navigation, smarter search tools, and a cleaner, more intuitive design.
• Repository Growth: The archive now contains over 6,000 publications, up from 4,530 at baseline — with new material coming in from universities, government institutions, and regional experts.
• University Partnerships: MoUs have been signed with three key institutions — Mzuzu University (Malawi), University of Namibia (UNAM), and University of Botswana (UB). Engagement with the University of the Free State (UFS) is also underway.
• Introductory Webinars: Training and awareness sessions have been held for students and staff at the partner universities, reaching over 100 participants and sparking strong interest in groundwater research and knowledge sharing.
• Website Integration: Discussions are ongoing with university IT and library departments to link their systems directly to the GLA platform, enabling seamless access to shared resources.
• Increased User Engagement: Analytics show a steady rise in traffic — from just 309 unique visitors in February 2024 to over 1,300 by August 2025 — reflecting growing awareness and use of the platform.
• Social Media Outreach: Dedicated Facebook and Community of Practice campaigns have been launched to promote the GLA, attracting more visitors and contributors from across the region.

Project Achievements

The GLA project has achieved remarkable milestones in knowledge sharing, collaboration, and visibility:
Expanding Access to Knowledge

Over 6,000 groundwater-related documents are now freely available online, many of which were previously inaccessible or scattered in physical archives. The GLA is helping ensure that vital information — from national hydrogeological reports to academic theses — is preserved and shared widely.

Strengthening Academic Collaboration
Universities across the region are now actively engaging with the platform. Students are using the GLA to support their research, while lecturers and supervisors are encouraging its use for coursework, literature reviews, and thesis writing.

Building Institutional Partnerships
Through MoUs with key universities, SADC-GMI has established a strong foundation for long-term academic engagement. Plans are underway to integrate the GLA into university libraries and digital learning systems, ensuring groundwater knowledge remains readily accessible to both staff and students.

Driving Regional Impact
The GLA has become a go-to reference for groundwater professionals, policymakers, and researchers. It is helping bridge the information gap across countries and disciplines while raising the visibility of SADC’s groundwater research on the global stage.

Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) Considerations

Although the GLA project operates in a digital environment with minimal environmental and social risks, SADC-GMI remains committed to applying responsible, sustainable practices throughout its implementation.

Key ESMP considerations include:

• Ethical Content Sharing: Ensuring that all uploaded materials respect copyright laws and are shared with proper permissions.
• Data Security: Maintaining a robust and secure digital infrastructure that safeguards contributor and user data.
• Inclusivity: Promoting participation from across all SADC Member States and ensuring that the platform remains accessible to everyone — with multilingual support in English, French, and Portuguese.
• Digital Sustainability: Hosting the platform on environmentally efficient cloud-based servers to reduce energy consumption.
• Capacity Building: Training regional institutions, students, and professionals on digital knowledge management and open-access publishing.

All ESMP-related documents — including environmental screening records, content-sharing protocols, and data management guidelines — are maintained by SADC-GMI and updated as needed.