Over-reliance on water infrastructure in pastoral drylands can undermine long-term climate resilience. The article highlights the risks of over-investing in small water infrastructures (SWIs) like deep wells and boreholes, which are often promoted as emergency responses to extreme droughts. While these projects provide short-term relief, they can erode traditional adaptation strategies and lead to long-term vulnerabilities. The study uses anthropological insights and socio-hydrological models to analyze the impacts of SWIs on pastoralist communities in drylands, particularly in Angola. It shows that increased SWI development can lead to reduced mobility, overgrazing, and a shift towards water-dependent agriculture, which weakens resilience to droughts. The research emphasizes the need for sustainable water management that supports traditional mobility practices and maintains long-term resilience. It also warns against the risks of over-reliance on SWIs, which can lead to dependency on depletable water sources and increased vulnerability to droughts. The study calls for integrated approaches that balance water infrastructure development with the preservation of traditional pastoral practices to ensure long-term resilience in dryland communities.Over-reliance on water infrastructure in pastoral drylands can undermine long-term climate resilience. The article highlights the risks of over-investing in small water infrastructures (SWIs) like deep wells and boreholes, which are often promoted as emergency responses to extreme droughts. While these projects provide short-term relief, they can erode traditional adaptation strategies and lead to long-term vulnerabilities. The study uses anthropological insights and socio-hydrological models to analyze the impacts of SWIs on pastoralist communities in drylands, particularly in Angola. It shows that increased SWI development can lead to reduced mobility, overgrazing, and a shift towards water-dependent agriculture, which weakens resilience to droughts. The research emphasizes the need for sustainable water management that supports traditional mobility practices and maintains long-term resilience. It also warns against the risks of over-reliance on SWIs, which can lead to dependency on depletable water sources and increased vulnerability to droughts. The study calls for integrated approaches that balance water infrastructure development with the preservation of traditional pastoral practices to ensure long-term resilience in dryland communities.