Dr. Dereje Gidafie Amedie

Professional Summary

Dr. Dereje Gidafie Amedie is a hydrogeologist and water resources management expert based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with more than 22 years of professional experience. He holds a PhD in Hydrogeology (2025) from Addis Ababa University, an MSc in Hydrogeology (2012) and a BSc in Applied Geology (2003) from Mekelle University. He manages drilling and well-construction operations at G6 Water Well Drilling and Construction Company, following earlier coordination roles with Water Well Drilling Enterprise and the UNDP Programme in Afar. His work includes aquifer investigation, drilling and pumping-test supervision, groundwater recharge assessment, hydrochemistry, environmental isotopes, GIS, remote sensing, modelling and technical review of water-resource projects.

Key Expertise

Major Projects and Contributions

• Drilling Department Manager – G6 Water Well Drilling and Construction Company
  Since October 2023, manages groundwater drilling and well-construction activities in Addis Ababa, coordinating schedules, equipment, field teams, drilling methods, quality control, pumping tests and client liaison.
• Addis Ababa Drilling and Well Rehabilitation Coordination – WWDE
  Coordinated groundwater drilling, well rehabilitation and water-supply projects from February 2014 to 2023, including technical supervision, quality assurance, documentation and coordination with Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority.
• PhD Research – Groundwater Recharge and Dynamics in the Western Afar Rift
  2025 PhD dissertation at Addis Ababa University investigating recharge sources, mechanisms and groundwater dynamics in the southern Western Afar Rift Margin and associated Rift Floor using hydrochemistry, stable isotopes, radon, GIS and remote sensing.
• Groundwater Recharge and Potential Modelling
  Applied GIS, remote sensing, WetSpass and machine-learning approaches including Random Forest to assess groundwater recharge and groundwater potential.
• Ministry of Water and Energy – Groundwater Technical Reviews
  Contributed technical review of groundwater and water-resource studies supported by the World Bank and Horn of Africa initiatives, including Lower Omo, Shone, Qafta-Humera, Metema-Chilga, Ataye-Shewarobit, Yergalem, Weito, Motta-Mekaneselam and South Omo.
• Groundwater Monitoring, Aquifer Testing and Well Development
  Worked on groundwater-level and water-quality monitoring, hydrogeological investigations, aquifer characterization, pumping tests, drilling, rehabilitation and groundwater development activities.
• UNDP Programme Coordination – Afar Regional Pastoralist Bureau
  Coordinated programme activities and supported regional-government collaboration, monitoring and reporting in Afar from October 2004 to December 2005.
• Environmental Impact Assessment – Afar Environmental Protection Authority
  Contributed to environmental impact assessment reviews and mitigation considerations for development projects from October 2003 to September 2004.
• Hydrogeology Teaching and Professional Capacity Building
  Undertook teaching at the School of Earth Sciences, Addis Ababa University, during doctoral studies and contributed to technical knowledge transfer and professional collaboration.