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The total amount of surface irrigation in African countries is about 550 thousand
ha and Nigeria, Senegal, and Mali have the largest area of this Group. Surface irrigation
in other countries is very low. The total amount of sprinkler irrigation is about 55
thousand ha. Cote d'Ivoire has the highest proportion of this Group (36 thousand ha).
Sprinkler irrigation in other countries is very low. The total amount of localized
irrigation is around 5 thousand ha and Benin and Gabon has the biggest share in this
Group. However, other countries have very low amounts of localized irrigation. The
total equipped lowlands area is about 400 thousand ha. Mali, Guinea, Niger, and Nigeria
represent the highest proportions. Conversely, other countries represent a smaller area.
The total area under spate irrigation in Africa is about 3 thousand ha and such sites are
solely located in Cameroon (Figure 9.4).
Figure 9.4. Irrigation methods in African Group
Source: AQUASTAT, 2013
Note: Data not available in Mozambique and Sierra Leone
The total irrigated area of African countries is around 1.2 million ha. Nigeria,
Mali, Senegal, Mozambique, Guinea, Niger and Cote d'Ivoire represent the largest
share, respectively. The other countries have relatively low potential for irrigation
(Figure 9.5).