The supply of safe drinking water, protection against floods and droughts, and the resolution of conflicts between competing water users in the case of resource scarcity, are among the main aims of development co-operation in the water sector. The impacts of climate change will make it even more challenging to achieve these objectives in many world regions, by putting additional pressures on water resources. This desk study for the German development co-operation (GTZ) evaluates scientific evidence for climate change impacts and potential options for adaptation in water management in Africa, and derives recommendations for meeting these challenges.