As the world marks World Water Day 2025 on March 22 under the theme Glacier Preservation, attention turns to the fragile ice formations that sustain millions. Glaciers, often called the “water towers of the world,” feed rivers, support ecosystems, and provide essential water for agriculture and livelihoods. However, climate change is accelerating their disappearance, posing a severe threat to global water security.
Though Africa is not typically associated with glaciers, it is home to iconic ice caps atop Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mount Kenya (Kenya), and the Rwenzori Mountains (Uganda-DR Congo border). These glaciers, once stable reservoirs of freshwater, are melting at alarming rates.
Research by Anne Hinzmann and her team at Friedrich-Alexander University, Germany, shows that Africa’s glaciers have lost over 90% of their area since the late 19th century. Kilimanjaro’s glaciers, for example, have shrunk from 11.4 square kilometers in 1900 to just 0.98 square kilometers today. If this trend continues, Africa’s last glaciers could disappear entirely, much like those that once crowned Ethiopia’s Bale and Arsi Mountains.
Despite their small size compared to other regions, Africa’s glaciers play a crucial role in maintaining local water cycles. Their seasonal meltwater feeds rivers like those originating in the Rwenzori Mountains, sustaining communities in Uganda and DR Congo. Mount Kenya’s ice melt supports ecosystems and farming during dry seasons. Their loss will worsen water shortages, harming biodiversity, agriculture, and livelihoods.
How to Slow Glacier Retreat
Glacier loss signals a broader climate crisis affecting Africa’s water security. Solutions must combine scientific research, local action, and policy support to minimize its impact:
- Invest in Research: Understanding how climate change affects glaciers and water systems will help predict future water availability.
- Empower Local Communities: Disaster preparedness training and sustainable land management can reduce risks from water shortages and soil erosion.
- Strengthen Policy and Early Warning Systems: Governments need reliable data-driven tools to guide water resource management and adapt to environmental changes.
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has been at the forefront of these efforts, using citizen science monitoring, remote sensing, and anticipatory action research to improve water resilience in fragile ecosystems.
The Time to Act is Now
Glacier preservation is not just about saving ice it’s about securing water for future generations. As climate change accelerates, urgent action is needed to protect Africa’s last glaciers, ensure sustainable water management, and safeguard communities dependent on these vital water sources.
On World Water Day 2025, the message is clear: glaciers are disappearing, but solutions exist if we act now.