What is the Great Man-Made River project in Libya?

The Great Man-Made River is Libya's massive irrigation project designed to transport ancient fossil water from underground aquifers to arid coastal regions.

How much is the new development phase for the GMMR?

The latest phase of the Great Man-Made River project is valued at £5.1 billion, aimed at expanding its water distribution network.

When will the fifth phase of the Great Man-Made River be completed?

The fifth phase of the Great Man-Made River is projected to be close to completion as of December 2025.

Home / Environment / Africa's Mega-River: New Phase Builds World's Largest Oasis

Africa's Mega-River: New Phase Builds World's Largest Oasis

7 Jan

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Summary

Massive ancient water project in Libya expands with £5.1 billion phase.
Project taps into prehistoric 'fossil water' from Sahara's vast aquifer.
Scheme could be sole solution to Libya's water scarcity issues.

Africa's Mega-River: New Phase Builds World's Largest Oasis

Libya's Great Man-Made River (GMMR), a monumental engineering feat, is undergoing a significant £5.1 billion expansion. This project, tapping into vast prehistoric 'fossil water' reserves from the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System under the Sahara, aims to alleviate severe water scarcity in the North African nation.

The GMMR, initiated in the late 1960s and significantly backed by the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, has spanned multiple phases, with the fifth phase now nearing completion. The first phase was completed on August 28, 1991, and the current expansion will extend coverage to currently unconnected rural and northern areas.

Despite facing challenges including damage from the 2011 civil war and concerns over the non-renewable nature of the water source, the GMMR remains Libya's strategic solution for drinking, irrigation, and industrial water needs, offering a vital alternative to expensive desalination processes.