As climate disasters multiply, the Democratic Republic of Congo—often nicknamed the “water tower of Africa”—reveals a paradoxical vulnerability. Junior Zoka, Ambassador of the international movement No Water No Us, offers a clear-eyed assessment: “The DRC holds 52% of Africa’s surface water reserves and nearly 47% of its non-renewable groundwater. Yet, millions of Congolese, especially in Kinshasa, still lack access to safe and potable water.”
The Congo enjoys an exceptional geographical position, straddling the equator and nourished by abundant rainfall. But these advantages often turn into an illusion. According to Junior Zoka, the capital, home to over 16 million people—70% of whom live on the outskirts—“manages its groundwater in a deeply concerning way.” The result: a resurgence of cholera, typhoid fever, and other waterborne diseases.
This failure is not merely technical; it highlights a governance weakness. Uncontrolled drilling, urban pollution, and the absence of wastewater treatment are weakening the aquifers. “Poor management of groundwater exposes the population to real dangers,” warns the ambassador.
No Water No Us relies on citizen diplomacy: conferences, scientific debates, and mobilization of the Congolese diaspora to influence public policy. “We speak directly to leaders, major companies, and academics,” explains Zoka. The goal: to embed social and environmental responsibility into the practices of investors flocking to the DRC.
A major national event, initially scheduled for late 2025, will now take place in June 2026. It will bring together authorities, researchers, and the private sector to develop a strategy for universal access to potable water and wastewater reuse.
In a country where mines attract foreign capital, Zoka calls for a shift in priorities: “Companies come to exploit resources, but what do they give back to ensure that residents can live in better conditions?”
His message is unambiguous: the DRC has a colossal water capital, but this treasure will not protect Kinshasa’s children or remote villages if the Congolese state, businesses, and civil society do not invest together in sustainable management. “Without water, there is no future,” he reminds us. No Water, No Us. In the context of climate warming and explosive population growth in several provinces of the DRC, the movement’s warning resonates as both a scientific and political imperative: preserving Congo’s “blue gold” must no longer be an option, but a national emergency.
By Kilalopress