The development and management of water resources in the SADC Member States has traditionally focused on surface water despite the fact that groundwater is widely used for both domestic and commercial water needs in the regions rural villages. Recognising the increasing dependency and reliability on groundwater resources as a result of increasing aridity and limited surface water resources, the SADC ministers responsible for water initiated a coordinated effort for sustainable development and long-term security of groundwater resources within the Southern African region way back in November 1995. This initiative led to the development and approval of a Regional Groundwater Management Programme for the SADC Region that consists of a framework of 8 Programmes and 10 proposed projects for implementation within the overall framework of regional co-operation and development. One of the components from the Regional Groundwater Management Programme identified as a priority was the preparation of a Regional Hydrogeological Map.