Niger Basin
Over 70% of the population live in areas where food security depends on unreliable rainfall and highly variable inter-and intra-annual river flows while at the same time, agriculture uses 85% of freshwater withdrawals in the Niger basin. While progress is being made within the basin, 30% of the population still do not have access to an improved water source, 75% do not have improved sanitation facilities and only 35% have access to electricity.
Increasing demand for water, energy and soil resources, and competing uses in the context of climate variability, population growth, political instability and a complex web of governance levels constitute a major challenge for balanced resource planning.
Water infrastructure (multi-purpose) is considered by the riparian countries of the Niger River as particularly crucial for improving the quality of life in the region. The WEF Nexus approach can provide an appropriate framework to design policies to holistically attain these development objectives by seeking efficiency of resource use.
Emphasis is specifically placed on:
• the improved interactions between key sectors (i.e. water, energy, agriculture, and environment),
• hydropower development using multi-purpose infrastructure
• irrigation to increase crop production and food security
• navigation development to enhance commerce and development and environmental protection;
• and protection of ecosystems.
The Nexus approach is increasingly acknowledged in the region and fostered by relevant organizations involved in transboundary cooperation such as the Niger Basin authority.
Recent News
Show All NewsNexus Blog // Outcomes of the 4th Executive Committee Meeting: Nexus Regional Dialogues Phase II
More than sixty participants from different regions and time-zones joined the virtual 4th Executive Committee Meeting of the Nexus Regional Dialogues…
Nexus Blog // Reaping the Rewards of Agricultural Electrification
A study by Power Africa and USAID shows win-win opportunities for rural communities and electricity companies in Nigeria. They conducted a…
Nexus Blog // Sécurité alimentaire et autonomisation des femmes grâce à l'irrigation solaire au Niger
À trente kilomètres de la capitale du Niger, dans la région de Kollo récemment marquée par le terrorisme, un groupe de 200 femmes bénéficiera bientôt…
Recent Resources
Show All ResourcesPublication // Challenges and Opportunities in the Operationalization of the Water-Environment-Energy-Food (WE2F) Nexus: Case Study of the Upper Niger Basin and Inner Niger Delta, West Africa
By Ousmane Seidou, Fatoumata Maiga, Claudia Ringler, Spela Kalcic, Luca Ferrini. The authors identify the benefits of applying the nexus approach in…
Fact Sheet // Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme Phase II
The Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme Phase II (2020-2023), funded by the EU and BMZ, aims to mainstream WEF Nexus approaches through increased…
Policy Brief // Water, Peace and Security Mali Policy brief August 2019 by Wetlands International
Water infrastructure must be ‘conflict-sensitive’ and coordinated between ministries representative of all stakeholders if future escalation of…