event 19 sept. 2022

Nexus Interview Series // Moussa Ibrahim, Advisor Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme in the Niger Basin

The interview series aims to provide a better picture of the people within the Nexus team and their perspectives on Water Energy Food Nexus challenges and opportunities. In this episode, we invite you to get to know Moussa Ibrahim, Advisor Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme in the Niger Basin.

Moussa interview

Moussa is the Advisor for the Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus Regional Dialogue Program in Support to the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) and its nine member States. He has over fifteen years of experience working with, and for, governments, NGOs and donor organizations. Dr. Ibrahim is a PhD holder in the Climate Change and Water Resources Program from Co-Universities, University of Abomey-Calavi and University of Boon (ZEF). He has performed research activities in the context of climate change impact on the availability of water resources in the Niger river basin, with focus the Niger inland delta (NID).

Dr. Ibrahim is a Water Resources and Environmental Engineer from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). He also holds a Master’s in integrated water resources management (IWRM) from International Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE). He has considerable experience with managing largescale data. He is involved in research, teaching and capacity development activities related to water resources management, hydrological risk and adaptation to climate variability and change, food security, wetland and ecosystem services - with a focus on West Africa. He is a published author of articles on “Hydrology and IJCET Journals” and regularly participates in International Conferences.

What does the WEF Nexus approach mean to you and how would you describe it in your own words?

For me WEF Nexus approach is an avenue to holistically develop and managed water, energy and agricultural resources in an integrated way to foster inter-sectoral policies and programmes for better livelihood of the populace and Its environment.

What are the main Nexus challenges in the Niger Basin? Can you mention a specific example?

In the Niger basin region, the main Nexus challenges are related to: (i) lack of data in some of the sectors of WEF at National levels, (ii) lack of inter-sectoral collaboration among the key Ministries and Departments at National levels; (iii) duplication of activities between Ministries and Departments at National levels, (iv) insufficient funds to develop programs and projects both at regional and national level, (v) insufficient technical capacity to formulate NEXUS oriented projects and programmes, (vi) insufficient understanding and skills to the concept NEXUS in the Basin, (vii) weak regional framework for data collection and coordination of WEF concept. Added to all these challenges, the one of natural resource scarcity - food, water and energy which are closely interlinked.

What is the most promising approach for implementing/mainstreaming WEF Nexus in the Niger Basin? And why?

To address these challenges, we need to improve the effectiveness of Niger Basin Authority (NBA) operational program (OP) activities and achieve multiple objectives through a single intervention. The objectives of the shared vision should not be undermined by considering potential trade-offs and negative cross-sectoral impacts of OP activities. All of this by broadening the impact of OP activities while strengthening positive and cross and cross-sectoral linkages. Therefore, policy and other attempted solutions must take this into account such us the WEF Nexus approach. But taking an integrated view of such issues is highly challenging to most institutions, given the complexity and cross-sectoral approach required. Hence, the most promising way for implementing WEF Nexus approach relies on (i) Domestication of WEF approach at national policies and programs, (ii) incentives for WEF projects and programs at national and regional levels, (iii) signing of MoUs with members countries to promote and implement WEF approach at their countries, and (iv) intensify more on capacity building for focal Ministries of WEF at national levels. The reason is that the application, success and sustainable management of WEF approach rest mostly on the understanding and acceptability of members countries to internalise it in their national policies and programs. Then it will be easy for NBA to support and coordinates their activities at regional level.

Thank you Moussa for taking the time to answer these questions!

More Information on the Nexus Regional Dialogue in the Niger Basin

Read more interviews from the series

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